Tories demand Government supports new laws to ban polygamous marriages from the welfare system so taxpayers are no longer 'bundling cash to men with multiple wives'

The Tories today demanded the Government back new legislation to ban the recognition of polygamous marriages in Britain's welfare system.

Ministers were urged to support a Bill aimed at ensuring taxpayers are no longer 'bundling cash to men with multiple wives'.

The proposed Social Security (Marriage) Bill seeks to close a loophole under which some polygamous marriages are recognised for benefit purposes.

The Tories warned this can allow welfare payments - in pension credit and housing benefit - for extra spouses.

They are also proposing action to put beyond doubt that overseas marriages between close relatives - such as uncles and nieces - are not recognised for welfare purposes.

Conservative frontbencher Richard Holden brought forward the Private Member's Bill via a Ten Minute Rule Motion in the House of Commons on Tuesday.

The Bill is also being co-sponsored by Tory leader Kemi Badenoch and shadow work and pensions secretary Helen Whately, among others.

Mr Holden told MPs his Bill is intended to 'correct an extraordinary fault within our welfare system'.

'Something so bizarre and indefensible that I can scarcely believe that we need to bring legislation forward to address it here,' he added.

'We do not yet know what the Government wishes to do in this area, but I hope that down the line... that they not oppose my Bill.'

Mr Holden warned against 'special treatment for men with multiple wives and, potentially, for incestuous marriages too'.

He added: 'Why should my constituents not be more deserving of our attention... when we're bundling cash first-class to men with multiple wives, to overseas uncle-niece marriages.

'Let's take a sensible step to address this issue in a way that recognises the values behind our benefits system, rooted in compassion and contribution, rooted in the values of our country, not there to pay for cultural practices which are illegal in our country.

'Surely it is insane that our welfare rules make special provision for men with many wives.

'I believe that Parliament should put that beyond doubt and I hope the House supports this Bill today and the Government doesn't back away from it.'

All marriages which take place in the UK must be monogamous, but polygamous marriages can be considered valid if the marriage is conducted in a country which permits polygamy.

For polygamous marriages considered valid in the UK, an award of certain means-tested benefits and tax credits - although not Universal Credit - can be for more than one spouse.

But any additional amount payable for the second spouse is likely to be less than the amount they could get were they to make a separate claim as a single person.

Mr Holden pointed to a recent enquiry to the Ministry of Justice over marriages between an uncle and niece, or aunt and nephew.

In reply to his written parliamentary question, the department said such overseas marriages are 'unlikely to be recognised' in the UK.

Mr Holden told the Commons on Tuesday that the Government should back his Bill to 'put beyond doubt that overseas incestuous marriages cannot be recognised'. 

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said it does not collect data on the number of people in a valid polygamous marriage claiming a social security benefit because the numbers are so small.

It added that recent housing benefit data indicates there are fewer than 10 households where claimants are recorded as being in a polygamous marriage formed in another country.

A DWP spokesperson said: 'There are robust rules in place which means there is no financial benefit for polygamous households, to ensure fairness across our benefit system.

'Our immigration rules have generally prevented the formation of polygamous households in this country since 1988, and benefit support is only available where the marriage took place in a country where it is legal.

'We believe very few, if any, polygamous households claim pension credit, housing benefit or any benefit support.'