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First Cousin Marriage in the UK: Why It Must End Now
By Aneeta Prem MBE, Founder of Freedom Charity
Why First-Cousin Marriage Is a National Concern
Can first cousins marry in the UK? In England and Wales, first cousins are not listed within the prohibited degrees of relationship. Marriage law is devolved across the UK, and valid consent remains essential. Where family pressure, threats or coercion are involved, the issue is forced marriage and safeguarding.
Freedom Charity is concerned about cases in which cousin marriage intersects with coercion, forced marriage or wider family control. For Freedom Charity’s main explanation of Dishonour Abuse (honour-based abuse / HBA), including safeguarding and terminology, see our dedicated guide.
Official source: GOV.UK guidance on marriage and prohibited degrees of relationship.
Where a marriage is imposed or consent is not freely given, it is a safeguarding issue. The cultural background of a family does not change the requirement for free consent.
What is first-cousin marriage?
First cousins share a pair of grandparents and are third-degree relatives. NHS genomics guidance describes first cousins as sharing about 12.5% of their DNA on average.
What does UK marriage law say?
Marriage law is devolved. In England and Wales, first cousins are not listed among the prohibited degrees of relationship. Northern Ireland guidance likewise lists the relationships that prevent marriage and does not include first cousins. Scotland has its own marriage legislation and forbidden-degree rules. Whatever the family relationship, a marriage requires valid consent; coercion or force raises a separate safeguarding and legal issue.
Why It Happened Historically—and Why It Must Stop
Historically, cousin marriage was used to keep wealth in families. It also reduced dowry costs and helped preserve tribal or caste lines. But today, it is often used to control women, suppress freedom of choice, and prevent “dishonour” to the family. When repeated across generations, the risks increase sharply.
What may once have been tradition has now become a vehicle for hidden abuse.
Health Risks of First Cousin Marriage
The Born in Bradford study reported a higher rate of congenital anomalies among children of first-cousin couples in its cohort: 6.1%, compared with 2.4% among children of unrelated couples, with an adjusted relative risk of 2.2. This is a population-level finding and does not predict the outcome of any individual pregnancy. Read the BMJ summary of the study.
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Congenital heart problems
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Thalassaemia and other blood disorders
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Metabolic and neurological conditions
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Physical and developmental disabilities
NHS genomics resources advise clinicians to ask about consanguinity because it can affect the chance that a child inherits a recessive genetic condition. Families with concerns should be offered appropriate clinical information, genetic counselling or referral where indicated. See the NHS Genomics Education Programme.
The Link to Dishonour-Based Abuse
At Freedom Charity, we support children whose marriages were arranged without consent—often before they turned 13. In these cases, cousin marriage isn’t about love. It’s about control.
Families use cousin marriage to:
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Prevent young people from choosing their partner
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Keep inheritance within the family
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Avoid perceived “Westernisation”
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Enforce obedience and preserve reputation
“I didn’t know I was engaged until my flight was booked. It wasn’t a choice—it was an order.”
— Survivor helped by Freedom Charity
Why Professionals Struggle to Speak Out
Teachers, doctors, and social workers often recognise the warning signs. But many are afraid to raise concerns. The fear of being called racist, or culturally insensitive, keeps professionals silent—even when safeguarding laws should be clear.
But this is not about race. It is about risk. And the law should always prioritise the welfare of the child.
What Needs to Change: My 6 Calls to Action
I am calling on the UK Government, NHS England, and safeguarding agencies to act now. We must:
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Ban first cousin marriage in the UK to protect future generations
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Introduce mandatory genetic screening and counselling
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Classify cousin marriage as a dishonour-based safeguarding flag
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Train professionals to act without fear of cultural backlash
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Launch a national public awareness campaign
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Ensure survivors are heard, not hidden
This Is a Human Rights Issue
Every child has the right to be born healthy and free. Every young person has the right to choose if, when, and whom to marry. And every professional has the right—and duty—to act when those rights are under threat.
Ending first cousin marriage is not about blaming communities. It’s about protecting lives. The silence must end, and the law must change.
About Aneeta Prem MBE
Freedom Charity was founded to protect children from forced marriage and dishonour-based abuse. We helped criminalise forced marriage in the UK. We have taught safeguarding across the country. And we are calling now—for every school, every doctor, every lawmaker—to speak up and act.
Key References and Further Reading
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