Written Question·Department for Work and Pensions·UIN 97043

Housing Benefit and Pension Credit: Polygamy

Tabled: 3 December 2025
Answered: 7 January 2026

Question

Dr Scott Arthur

LabourEdinburgh South West

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many households where (a) Pension Credit and (b) Housing Benefit is claimed receive additional consideration due to there being a polygamous marriage.

Answer

Sir Stephen Timms
Since 1988 rules have been in place under successive governments which limit access to benefits for people in polygamous marriages to those who were married in a country which allows such marriages. Any polygamous relationship formed in the United Kingdom...

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