In UK, polygamy can be rewarding to immigrants
1 Aug 2012 2:46 PM IST
Courtesy an unplugged loophole in the British government’s welfare shake-up, immigrants having multiple wives can claim higher benefit payments, it has emerged.
Benefits potentially available to spouses in polygamous marriages include income support, jobseeker’s allowance, employment and support allowance, pension credit, housing benefit and council tax benefit.
According to prevailing rules, husbands in polygamous marriages are able to apply for income support and other handouts for their extra spouses, Daily Express reported.
British ministers have decided to scrap the rules when the new Universal Benefit system comes in next year to end such a situation’s prevalence where the state effectively recognises polygamy.
Officials are now concerned that multiple wives will claim full single person’s benefits instead, rather than lower-rate payments designed for “couples”. Some immigrants could see their weekly handouts almost turning double from £40 to 71 a week. The loophole has triggered fresh concerns about why families in some minority religious groups are permitted to indulge in polygamy while bigamy is illegal and punishable by up to seven years in jail.
Benefits potentially available to spouses in polygamous marriages include income support, jobseeker’s allowance, employment and support allowance, pension credit, housing benefit and council tax benefit.
According to prevailing rules, husbands in polygamous marriages are able to apply for income support and other handouts for their extra spouses, Daily Express reported.
British ministers have decided to scrap the rules when the new Universal Benefit system comes in next year to end such a situation’s prevalence where the state effectively recognises polygamy.
Officials are now concerned that multiple wives will claim full single person’s benefits instead, rather than lower-rate payments designed for “couples”. Some immigrants could see their weekly handouts almost turning double from £40 to 71 a week. The loophole has triggered fresh concerns about why families in some minority religious groups are permitted to indulge in polygamy while bigamy is illegal and punishable by up to seven years in jail.
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