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<p><strong> </strong></p><p>There is no estimate of the number of legally recognised
polygamous marriages in the United Kingdom. The Government believe the numbers of
legally recognised polygamous marriages to be very low and declining. This is because,
since the Immigration Act 1988, it has not been possible for people polygamously married
overseas to bring second spouses to the United Kingdom.</p><p> </p><p>No one can contract
a polygamous marriage in the UK, but marriage legislation recognises the validity
of polygamous marriages entered into in a country where polygamy was legal when the
parties concerned were domiciled there. Social security legislation adopts a similar
approach to avoid anomalous results (such as treating polygamous households more favourably
than monogamous ones).</p><p> </p><p>Information concerning: a) the volume of polygamous
households estimated to be affected by the move to Universal Credit, and b) how many
polygamous households receiving income-related state benefits is not readily available
and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.</p><p> </p><p>In Universal Credit,
the process is that the one spouse will claim for the other in the same way as an
unmarried couple, and any other adults living in the household will have to claim
as single people on the basis of their own circumstances. This process already happens
where a polygamous marriage is not recognised in law.</p><p> </p><p>Legacy income-related
benefits provide for polygamous marriages only where the marriage was contracted in
a country where polygamy was legal when the parties concerned were domiciled there.
Provision is at the lowest level consistent with our human rights obligations. These
rules have been in place since the introduction of Income Support in 1988.</p><p>
</p><p>Income-related benefits are not payable for spouses who do not reside in Great
Britain.</p>
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