UK’s National Health Service (NHS) is facing criticism for linking first-cousin marriages to “stronger extended family support” and economic benefits.
Experts warn that marrying a first cousin carries health risks, including a higher chance of children inheriting recessive genetic disorders such as cystic fibrosis or thalassaemia, reported The Standard.
The controversy comes after NHS staff in Bradford described marrying a cousin as a “cultural practice”.
The guidance, released by NHS England ’s genomics education programme, although noting that first-cousin marriages, common in the British Pakistani community, are linked to a greater risk of genetic conditions in children, it recommended public health measures such as awareness campaigns rather than banning cousin marriages, saying that outlawing the practice could stigmatise communities.
The document received severe backlash from the conservatives of the UK, including Tory MP Richard Holden, who said that the NHS should act against “damaging and oppressive cultural practices” and call for an end to cousin marriage, reported The Daily Mail.
“The Conservatives want to see an end to cousin marriage as a backdoor to immigration too, but Labour are deaf to these sensible demands. Sir Keir Starmer should stop running scared of the misogynistic community controllers and their quislings who appear in the form of cultural relativist-obsessed sociology professors, and ban a practice the overwhelming majority, from every community in Britain, want to see ended for good,” he said.
Holden has also proposed a bill to ban first-cousin marriages, though Downing Street has said the government has no plans to take this step.
Aneeta Prem MBE, founder of the Freedom Charity, also criticised the guidance, saying cousin marriages are a safeguarding risk. She added that the practice is linked to dishonour abuse, where young people are pressured and have little real choice. “The health evidence is clear. These are preventable harms that place families and the NHS under immense pressure. This is about protecting rights, not targeting communities,” she said, as quoted by The Daily Mail.
First-cousin marriages have been legal in the UK since a law was passed during Henry VIII’s reign.
Experts warn that marrying a first cousin carries health risks, including a higher chance of children inheriting recessive genetic disorders such as cystic fibrosis or thalassaemia, reported The Standard.
The controversy comes after NHS staff in Bradford described marrying a cousin as a “cultural practice”.
The guidance, released by NHS England ’s genomics education programme, although noting that first-cousin marriages, common in the British Pakistani community, are linked to a greater risk of genetic conditions in children, it recommended public health measures such as awareness campaigns rather than banning cousin marriages, saying that outlawing the practice could stigmatise communities.
The document received severe backlash from the conservatives of the UK, including Tory MP Richard Holden, who said that the NHS should act against “damaging and oppressive cultural practices” and call for an end to cousin marriage, reported The Daily Mail.
“The Conservatives want to see an end to cousin marriage as a backdoor to immigration too, but Labour are deaf to these sensible demands. Sir Keir Starmer should stop running scared of the misogynistic community controllers and their quislings who appear in the form of cultural relativist-obsessed sociology professors, and ban a practice the overwhelming majority, from every community in Britain, want to see ended for good,” he said.
Holden has also proposed a bill to ban first-cousin marriages, though Downing Street has said the government has no plans to take this step.
Aneeta Prem MBE, founder of the Freedom Charity, also criticised the guidance, saying cousin marriages are a safeguarding risk. She added that the practice is linked to dishonour abuse, where young people are pressured and have little real choice. “The health evidence is clear. These are preventable harms that place families and the NHS under immense pressure. This is about protecting rights, not targeting communities,” she said, as quoted by The Daily Mail.
First-cousin marriages have been legal in the UK since a law was passed during Henry VIII’s reign.
You may also like
Maha govt sets up authority to promote self-redevelopment of co-operative housing societies
Gujarat: Dancers pay tribute to armed forces with Garba in Ahmedabad
Missing persons could be prevented with new law, MP says
Windows 10 support ends in 2025: What you need to know about extended security updates and the shift to Windows 11
India to construct 2 cross-border rail links to Bhutan costing over Rs 4,000 crore
