TAXPAYERS are shelling out more than £5 million a year for immigrants who bring HAREMS into Britain.
Under an astonishing loophole in British law, Muslims who settle here with up to FOUR WIVES are entitled to a raft of benefits.
If the wives married in a country where polygamy is legal, they can all hit the UK taxpayer for JOBSEEKER'S all owance, HOUSING benefit and COUNCIL TAX relief.
And if these harems have children they can also claim CHILD benefit and FAMILY TAX credits.
The exhausted husband also gets a Jobseeker's Allowance of £90.10 a week for himself and his first wife.
Extra wives get £32.65 each.
Work and Pensions Secretary John Hutton was unaware of the bizarre system until The People began investigating. There are believed to be hundreds of harems in Britain.
Polygamy is common across the Middle East and Africa.
Welfare minister Philip Hunt admitted: "British law recognises those marriages. Income-related benefits can be paid for more than one wife."
A spokesman for the Department for Work and Pensions said: "Ministers have asked officials to urgently examine whether the current position is the best possible."
nigel.nelson@people.co.uk
Voice of the People: Page 6