Review the rules that financially benefit those who break the law.

Rejected 21 signatures

What the petition asks

Under the universal credit system, polygamous households can be rewarded with higher benefits. Polygamy is illegal. Under the new Universal Credit system polygamous marriages are not recognised. The standard allowance is about £498.89 a month for couples. Single people can claim about £317.83.

That means the husband and his 1st wife will be able to claim the married couples' allowance. Subsequent wives can claim a single person's allowance. Philip Hollobone, MP for Kettering, said '[Polygamous marriage] is illegal and should be prosecuted as such, and there should be no advantage to polygamy through the pensions and benefits system,'

See https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3414264/Want-higher-benefits-marry-one-wife-New-welfare-rules-hand-extra-taxpayer-cash-polygamists.html

Why it was rejected

It was not clear what the petition asked the UK Government or Parliament to do.

Petitions need to call on the Government or Parliament to take a specific action.

We're not sure exactly what you'd like the Government or Parliament to do to change these allowances.

You could start a new petition explaining clearly what you would like the Government or Parliament to do.

Timeline

17 Aug 2020	Petition opened for signatures
29 Sep 2020	Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 21

Status Rejected

Rejected 29 Sep 2020

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