Written Question·Department for Work and Pensions·UIN 15459
Social Security Benefits: Marriage
Tabled: 2 July 2026
Answered: 14 July 2026
Question
Mr Richard Holden
Conservative — Basildon and Billericay
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what his Department's policy is on recognising for social security purposes marriages between an uncle and niece legally contracted overseas where the couple are resident in England and Wales.
Answer
Sir Stephen TimmsA marriage between an uncle and niece falls within the prohibited degrees of relationship set out in Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the Marriage Act 1949 and, by virtue of section 1(1) of that Act, is void for all purposes in England and Wales. There is similar ...
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