UK Study: Polygamist men "milking" the benefits system to support several wives

[White Horse]

I was surpised to read reports of a study by the British government suggesting that the social services are turning a blind eye to polygamy and are actually supporting it via generous social welfare:

The review found, a Muslim man can claim state support of more than £10,000 a year to keep his wives, if the wedding took place in one of those countries where polygamy is commonplace, such as Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Saudi Arabia and across huge tracts of Africa.

For example, a man can receive £92.80 a week in income support for wife number one, and a further £33.65p for each of his subsequent spouses.

Therefore, if he has four wives - the maximum permitted under Islamic teachings - he can claim nearly £800 a month from the British taxpayer.

Controversially, a polygamist is also entitled to more generous housing benefits and bigger council houses to reflect the large size of his family. He is also able to claim £1,000 a year in child benefit for each of his growing brood.


The Government insists that polygamy has declined in Britain since the 1988 Immigration Act, which made it harder for men to bring second, third or fourth wives to the UK.

Polygamy UK: This special Mail investigation reveals how thousands of men are milking the benefits system to support several wives | Mail Online

Does anyone know what is the position of the Irish social services towards polygamy (not that I am considering it)?

[seabhcan]

How does he get the 'wives' to the UK? You can only apply for a spouce visa for a single spouce.

Oh, wait. This is published in the Mail...

[Tiernanator]

Said the man from the Daily Mail....what a load of right wing rubbish. If you want to be taken seriously then find better sources that this load of tosh.