Opposition MPs question why Labour govt has increased benefits to polygamous households

TOI Correspondent from London: Conservative politicians have slammed the Labour govt for increasing benefits to households in polygamous marriages when polygamy is illegal in Britain.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has increased the amount it pays out to households with people in polygamous marriages from April 2026.

The amount given in pension credit or housing benefit to husbands and first wives in polygamous marriage has gone up 4.8% to £363.3 (Rs 46,901) per week from £346.6 (Rs 44,751) and each additional wife will get £125.3 (Rs 16,171) per week, up from £119.5 (Rs 15,429). There is no limit on the number of wives (or husbands) that can claim this.

Whilst polygamy is illegal in the UK, if the marriage took place in another country where it is allowed, and they moved to the UK after that, the marriage is seen as valid in Britain.

Shadow secretary for work and pensions Helen Whately said: “We don’t allow polygamous marriages in the UK. We shouldn’t support polygamy in the benefits system. The more I dig into welfare, the more I find to fix.”

Tory MP Katie Lam said: “This is completely mad. Britain has no history of polygamy. It’s been illegal to enter into a polygamous marriage in England since 1604. When people come to this country, they should abide by our norms. Allowing them not to and then giving them taxpayer money for it is mental.”

Shadow home secretary Chris Philp MP said: “Truly insane from a morally bankrupt govt. Polygamy is rightly illegal here. We shouldn’t pay a penny of benefits to immigrants’ claimed multiple wives. In fact, we shouldn’t pay non-citizens benefits at all. This is another insult to British taxpayers who fund this nonsense.”

A DWP spokesperson said: “We believe very few, if any, polygamous households claim pension credit, housing benefit or any benefit support… There are robust rules in place, which means there is no financial benefit for polygamous households, to ensure fairness across our benefit system.”