Keith Mack
While it is currently legal to marry your first cousin in the UK, there are growing calls for this to change. Conservative MP Richard Holden has called for first-cousin marriage to be banned, citing the increased risk of birth defects in children born to first-cousin couples. This view is supported by medical professionals, who highlight the dangers of consanguineous relations. However, others argue that a ban would be ineffective and that the issue would be better addressed through education programmes. First-cousin marriage is more common among certain diaspora communities, such as British Pakistanis, and there are cultural and religious reasons for the practice.
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What You'll Learn
- First-cousin marriages are legal in the UK
- The children of first cousins are at greater risk of birth defects
- Cousin marriage is more common among some South Asian minority communities in the UK
- Cousin marriage was illegal in the UK for 1,000 years until 1540
- MPs are divided on whether to ban cousin marriage in the UK
First-cousin marriages are legal in the UK
First-cousin marriages are currently legal in the UK. However, this is a highly debated topic, with many MPs and members of the public calling for a ban on the practice. The main argument for banning first-cousin marriages centres around health concerns, with medical experts stating that it can cause genetic diseases in the children of first cousins. There are also concerns about the impact of such marriages on societal structures and women's autonomy.
The history of first-cousin marriage law in the UK is long and complex. For over 1,000 years, from the fifth century until 1540, first-cousin marriage was illegal in England. This was due to the Church's adoption of Roman doctrine on the matter, which was clarified by the first Archbishop of Canterbury in the eighth century. The law remained unchanged until King Henry VIII broke with Rome and legalised first-cousin marriage so that he could marry his fifth wife, Catherine Howard, who was his cousin.
Today, first-cousin marriages are more prevalent in certain communities across the UK, particularly among British Pakistanis, where the rate is between 38% and 59%. There are also high rates of first-cousin marriage among Irish Travellers and other South Asian minority communities in the UK. While some argue that a ban on first-cousin marriage would be ineffective, others believe it is necessary to protect public health and uphold national values.
Despite the ongoing debate and concerns, the UK government has indicated that it has no plans to change the law regarding first-cousin marriages. It is important to note that while first-cousin marriages are legal in the UK, other types of close family marriages, such as those between siblings or parents and children, are prohibited under the Marriage Act 1949.
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The children of first cousins are at greater risk of birth defects
In the UK, marrying your cousin is not illegal. However, medical experts have found that it can cause genetic diseases in the children they may bear. The incidence of birth defects in children born to first cousins is about double that of the general population. This has been a long-standing debate in the UK, with some MPs pushing for a ban on first-cousin marriages.
The main argument for banning first-cousin marriages is the increased risk of birth defects in children. On average, the children of first cousins have a 3.6% greater risk of being born with a congenital anomaly than children born to unrelated couples. This risk is even higher in specific ethnic communities, such as the Pakistani community in the UK, where the risk of congenital anomalies is 31%. This is due to the practice of endogamy, where people marry members of their close community, increasing the likelihood of shared genes.
The Bradford study, which analyzed 11,396 births between 2007 and 2011, found that first cousin-parentage may have wider consequences than previously thought. The classic theory of genetics states that if both parents carry a recessive gene, there is a one in four chance that their child will inherit the condition. When parents are cousins, they are more likely to both be carriers, increasing the risk to a 6% chance of inheriting a recessive disorder.
However, critics argue that the data collection in the Bradford study may be misleading and that the health risks associated with cousin marriages are exaggerated. They argue that there are many interacting cultural, demographic, ethnic, religious, and socioeconomic factors that need to be considered when assessing the impact of cousin marriages on genetic health.
Currently, the UK government has no plans to impose a ban on first-cousin marriages. Instead, they follow the policy of "genetic counselling," where first cousin-couples are educated about the risks of having children and are encouraged to undergo extra screening during pregnancy.
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Cousin marriage is more common among some South Asian minority communities in the UK
In the UK, cousin marriage is not illegal, but medical experts have warned that it can lead to genetic diseases in the children of first cousins. In 2025, physician Mohammad Walji spoke out against the practice, stating that it is a "very significant" cause of infant death. A study by the CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) found that long-standing endogamous marriage practices in South Indian communities led to inbreeding rates of around 60%, increasing the risk of genetic disorders.
In South India, cross-cousin and uncle-niece marriages are preferential in certain landed communities, such as the Reddys or Vellalars, and among Brahmins. These practices are motivated by a desire to preserve wealth within the family. According to the National Family Health Survey of 2019-2021, the highest rates of consanguineous marriages in India are found in the southern states of Tamil Nadu (28%) and Karnataka (27%).
While cousin marriage is more common among some South Asian communities in the UK, there are signs that this trend may be changing. Reports indicate that rates of cousin marriage have decreased among younger generations, with young British Pakistanis pushing back against the practice. This shift may be due to increased awareness of the potential health risks and a growing preference for marriages outside of the family.
The British government has no plans to ban cousin marriage, with independent MP Iqbal Mohamed arguing that a ban would be ineffective. Instead, he suggested that education programmes should be implemented to raise awareness about the potential risks associated with the practice.
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Cousin marriage was illegal in the UK for 1,000 years until 1540
In the UK, cousin marriage was illegal for 1,000 years until 1540, when King Henry VIII broke with Rome and lifted the ban. The canon law forbidding first-cousin marriage was practised by the Church as early as the fifth century in England and was clarified by the first Archbishop of Canterbury in the eighth century after a letter from Pope Gregory I. The letter referenced Leviticus 18:6, which states that sacred law forbids a man to "uncover the nakedness of his near kin". Over the centuries, the canon law was extended to prohibit marriages between sixth cousins.
Henry VIII changed the law to serve his own interests—he wished to marry his fifth wife, Catherine Howard, who was the first cousin of his second wife, Anne. The law has remained unchanged since. Today, cousin marriage is practised by about 10% of the world and is most common in the Middle East, West Asia, and North Africa. In some cultures, cousin marriages are actively encouraged, while in others, they are considered incestuous and are subject to social stigma.
In the UK, cousin marriage is rare, and the understanding of the genetic risks has grown. There are concerns about the health of children born to cousins, with medical experts stating that it can cause genetic diseases. In 2025, 75% of Britons were against legalising cousin marriage. However, it is more common among some South Asian minority communities in the UK, with almost half of mothers from the Pakistani community in three inner-city Bradford wards married to a first or second cousin.
In December 2024, Conservative MP Richard Holden called for a ban on first-cousin marriage in the UK to protect public health, citing the increased risk of birth defects in children. However, independent MP Iqbal Mohamed opposed a ban, suggesting that education programmes would be a better solution to address the risks.
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MPs are divided on whether to ban cousin marriage in the UK
MPs in the UK are divided on whether to ban cousin marriage, with some arguing that it should be prohibited to protect public health, while others believe that a ban would be ineffective. While cousin marriage is currently legal in the UK, there are concerns about the potential health risks to any children born to first-cousin couples, who are at a higher risk of genetic disorders and birth defects.
In January 2025, Conservative MP Richard Holden called for first-cousin marriage to be banned in the UK, citing the increased risk of birth defects as a reason for the prohibition. Holden also argued that first-cousin marriages can reinforce restrictive societal structures, particularly affecting women's autonomy. To support his proposal, Holden pointed out that many countries have already prohibited first-cousin unions, and that the Labour Party had not yet taken a formal stance on the bill.
On the other hand, independent MP Iqbal Mohamed opposed the introduction of a ban, suggesting that education programmes to raise awareness of the risks would be a better approach. Mr Hussain, whose own marriage to his first cousin was arranged, agreed with Mr Mohamed, stating that first-cousin marriages should continue according to their religion, but that marrying outside the family is also an option. Ms Akhtar, Mr Hussain's wife, shared a similar sentiment, adding that having children with disabilities could still happen even when marrying outside the family.
Public opinion on the matter is also divided, with three-quarters of Britons saying no to legalising cousin marriage, while a poll of ethnic minority Britons found that 39% of British Pakistanis and Bangladeshis support cousin marriage, although 47% of this group still believe the practice should be prohibited.
The history of cousin marriage in the UK dates back to the 5th century when the Church practised the Roman doctrine on first-cousin marriage. This was later legalised by King Henry VIII in 1540 to marry his fifth wife, Catherine Howard, who was his first cousin. Despite the current debates and concerns surrounding cousin marriage, Downing Street indicated that the government had no plans to change the law as of January 2025.
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Frequently asked questions
No, it is not currently against the law to marry your cousin in the UK. However, there are calls for this to change due to the health risks associated with first-cousin marriages.
Medical experts say that first-cousin marriages can cause genetic diseases in the children they may bear. Studies indicate that children born to first-cousin couples are at a significantly higher risk of genetic disorders and birth defects.
Cousin marriage is more common among some South Asian minority communities in the UK. A recent study found that almost half of mothers from the Pakistani community in three inner-city Bradford wards were married to a first or second cousin.
Some people want to ban first-cousin marriages in the UK due to the health risks associated with them. Others argue that first-cousin marriages can reinforce restrictive societal structures, particularly affecting women's autonomy.
