Multiple wives will mean multiple benefits

[Morris Onions]

Husbands with multiple wives have been given the go-ahead to claim extra welfare benefits following a year-long Government review, The Sunday Telegraph can reveal.

Even though bigamy is a crime in Britain, the decision by ministers means that polygamous marriages can now be recognised formally by the state, so long as the weddings took place in countries where the arrangement is legal.

The outcome will chiefly benefit Muslim men with more than one wife, as is permitted under Islamic law. Ministers estimate that up to a thousand polygamous partnerships exist in Britain, although they admit there is no exact record.

The decision has been condemned by the Tories, who accused the Government of offering preferential treatment to a particular group, and of setting a precedent that would lead to demands for further changes in British law.

New guidelines on income support from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) state: "Where there is a valid polygamous marriage the claimant and one spouse will be paid the couple rate ... The amount payable for each additional spouse is presently £33.65."

Income support for all of the wives may be paid directly into the husband's bank account, if the family so choose. Under the deal agreed by ministers, a husband with multiple wives may also be eligible for additional housing benefit and council tax benefit to reflect the larger property needed for his family.

...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml;jsessionid=IBPDITRIFOK4BQFIQMGCFFOAVCBQUIV0?xml=/news/2008/02/03/nbenefit103.xml

[mr blur]

1. WTF?

So it's OK if you are a whackjob whose fantasy belief system allows him (never her, of course) to marry more than one woman? Fucking idiots. What about the ones whose "beliefs" allow them to marry a 10-year-old, then? Perhaps they can claim child benefit for the wife.

[fedsron2us]

2. Does it involve mutiple alimony as well

[LeftishBrit]

3. If true, this is ridiculous...

First of all, polygamy is illegal here, as in all EU countries including the majority-Muslim Turkey. While I can see the point of recognizing polygamous marriages that occurred before someone became a British citizen, I think it's going a bit far to expect the taxpayer to reward them financially.

Secondly, so far as I know, no polygamous country or culture expects the State to fund multiple marriages. I may be wrong here, but so far as I know, polygamy is usually regarded as a 'private-sector luxury', so to speak: something reserved for the relatively prosperous who can afford to support more than one wife; or those who can attract rich wives who bring their own dowries.

I don't really want to see my taxes going on this. Besides, sooner or later, all the Tory MPs will be demanding that their polygamous relationships should be recognized and funded. Anyone remember Steve Norris, bless his heart, with his harem of five (I think!) women?

Of course, this is the Torygraph, so it may be all wrong anyway!