The Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834
The Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834, also known as the New Poor Law, was a significant piece of legislation in the United Kingdom designed to address the problem of poverty and the cost of poor relief. It was part of a broader movement toward social and economic reforms during the early 19th century. The Act had far-reaching effects on the treatment of the poor and the administration of poor relief, particularly in how the government managed those unable to support themselves.
Background and context
By the early 19th century, England was facing major social and economic problems, especially related to poverty and the growing urban population. The Industrial Revolution had led to rapid urbanisation, resulting in overcrowded cities with high levels of poverty and homelessness. The existing system of poor relief, which was based on the Old Poor Law, had been established by the Elizabethan Poor Law of 1601. This system relied on local parishes to provide aid to the poor through outdoor relief (money or goods given to people in their homes) and indoor relief (care provided in workhouses).
The system was increasingly seen as inefficient, expensive, and open to abuse. Some localities were more generous than others, leading to disparities in relief. Additionally, the idea of "outdoor relief" was thought to encourage dependence on charity rather than self-sufficiency. At the same time, there was growing anxiety over the number of people seeking poor relief and the financial burden it imposed on local governments.
In the context of these challenges, the Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834 sought to reform the system by centralizing control, reducing costs, and discouraging the perceived "pauperisation" of the poor.
Key provisions
Centralisation of poor relief
The Act centralised the administration of poor relief by establishing the Poor Law Commission. This body, consisting of several government officials, was responsible for overseeing poor relief throughout England and Wales, replacing the decentralised system where local parishes had more authority.
Introduction of workhouses
One of the most controversial aspects of the Act was the establishment of workhouses, which were designed to be institutions where the poor could be provided with food, shelter, and work in exchange for their labour. The idea was to make the conditions of the workhouse deliberately harsh in order to deter people from seeking relief unless they were truly destitute. The conditions were deliberately designed to be less comfortable than those in the lowest-paying jobs, so that people would only enter workhouses as a last resort.
The "Less Eligibility" principle
The "less eligibility" principle was a key part of the Act, which argued that the conditions in the workhouses should be worse than those outside. The idea was that relief should not be so generous as to encourage dependency, and it was believed that people would be less inclined to apply for relief if they knew they would have to endure harsh conditions.
Outdoor relief restriction
The Act severely restricted the use of outdoor relief (financial assistance given to the poor in their own homes), particularly for the able-bodied poor. The goal was to prevent people from living comfortably off relief and instead encourage them to work. The Act stipulated that able-bodied individuals who sought relief should be sent to the workhouse.
Workhouse tests
Individuals applying for relief had to undergo an “inquiry” (or test) to determine whether they were eligible. In most cases, this meant being placed in a workhouse. If a person was able-bodied, they would be expected to work in the workhouse in exchange for food and shelter. This system was designed to reduce the number of people who were seen as abusing the relief system.
Division of the poor
The Act also sought to categorise the poor into different groups. It identified the deserving poor (those unable to work, such as the elderly, sick, and children) and the undeserving poor (those who were able-bodied but not working). The deserving poor were generally given relief outside the workhouses if they could not support themselves, but the able-bodied poor were expected to work in the workhouses.
Formation of Unions
Local parishes were grouped together into Unions, which were managed by elected Boards of Guardians. These unions were responsible for overseeing the provision of relief within their areas, including the establishment and operation of workhouses. The idea was that larger groups of parishes could pool resources and reduce administrative costs.
Impact
The Poor Law Amendment Act had far-reaching effects, both positive and negative:
Increase in workhouse numbers
After the Act was passed, the number of workhouses in England and Wales increased dramatically. The harsh conditions inside the workhouses, with minimal comforts and strict rules, led to the institutionalisation of the poor and created a system where many poor families were separated, as families were often divided and placed in different areas of the workhouse.
Social stigma and suffering
The Act, by creating a system of compulsory work in harsh conditions, stigmatised those who relied on relief. The term "pauper" became associated with the stigma of being unable to support oneself. The harsh conditions led to widespread criticism and social unrest, particularly among the poor who saw workhouses as a humiliating and dehumanizing experience.
Public backlash
The Poor Law Amendment Act was deeply unpopular, especially among the working class, who saw it as an attempt to control and punish the poor rather than genuinely support them. Many believed the Act was motivated by a desire to force the poor to work under exploitative conditions. Protests and riots, including the Battle of the Workhouses (1837) in some areas, were manifestations of this backlash.
Effects on children and families
The Act’s effects on children were especially problematic. Many children were sent to workhouses, and families were often separated. Children could be sent to work in factories or placed in institutions like orphanages, which many criticised for being inadequate and punitive.
Class control
The New Poor Law is often seen as part of a wider effort by the government to control the working classes and manage poverty through social control rather than social justice. The harsh conditions and focus on work and discipline mirrored broader Victorian social attitudes toward the poor, which were often steeped in Social Darwinism and ideas about moral and social "fitness."
Public health consequences
The concentration of the poor in workhouses, which often lacked proper sanitation, led to the spread of diseases like cholera and typhus, especially during epidemics. Workhouses were often overcrowded, and the health of the poor was generally poor due to inadequate living conditions.
Legacy
While the Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834 sought to reduce the burden of poor relief on local governments and deter the spread of what was seen as a culture of dependency, its social consequences were significant. The act represented a shift toward a more punitive approach to poverty, prioritizing control over care.
Influence on future reforms
The backlash against the New Poor Law and the suffering it caused eventually led to the development of social welfare policies in the 20th century, including Old Age Pensions, unemployment insurance, and the National Health Service (NHS). These reforms sought to address poverty in a more humane way and reflected a growing acceptance of the idea that the government should provide for the welfare of its citizens.
Social work and welfare services
The Act’s influence also helped shape the future of social work and welfare services. The idea of organizing and categorizing the poor led to the development of the social work profession, and the legacy of the Poor Law can be seen in the foundation of modern welfare systems.
Conclusion
The Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834 fundamentally changed the way poor relief was provided in England. It reflected a shift toward punitive measures aimed at reducing dependency on public aid, with a focus on making workhouses less attractive in order to deter people from seeking assistance. Though the Act’s effects were deeply controversial and often harmful to the poor, it laid the groundwork for later developments in social welfare systems and public health, influencing the course of social reform in Britain well into the 20th century.
Read more about the related legislation passed by the UK Government