1834 Poor Law Amendment Act

• What year was the Poor Law Amendment Act enacted?

  1834
• What are the key terms of the Poor Law Amendment Act 1834?


  • Less eligibility
  • Workhouse test
  • Poor Law Commission
• In what year was the Royal Commission enquiry into the operation of the ‘old’ Poor Law set up?

  1832
• Which political party was in power when the Royal Commission was established?

  Whig
• What major political reform was passed by the same government in 1832?


  Parliamentary Reform Act (‘Great Reform Act’)
• How many commissioners were appointed to conduct the Royal Commission enquiry?

  Nine
• What percentage of parishes were visited by the assistant commissioners during the enquiry?

  20%
• What was one of the aims of the Poor Law Amendment Act?


  To reduce costs (especially of out-relief)
• Why was there little opposition to the Poor Law Amendment Act in parliament?


  The Whigs had a large majority and were united behind the bill
• What was the stance of the Tory Party regarding the Poor Law Amendment Act?


  They were heavily out-numbered and had limited opposition
• What were the arguments of radicals like William Cobbett against the Poor Law Amendment Act?


  He argued it robbed the poor and enriched landowners
• What were the key features of the Poor Law Amendment Act 1834?


  • Establishment of a central authority (Poor Law Commission)
  • Compulsory and uniform implementation across the country
  • Grouping of parishes into Poor Law unions
  • Elected Board of Guardians for each union
  • Establishment of workhouses applying the ‘less eligibility principle’
  • Discontinuation of outdoor relief for able-bodied individuals
• What was the ‘workhouse test’ intended to do?


  To determine the genuinely needy from the rest
• Was outdoor relief formally abolished by the Poor Law Amendment Act?


  No, it was not formally abolished
• What might be some reasons for opposition to the Poor Law Amendment Act?


  • Humanitarian concerns
  • Traditional paternalistic objections
  • Centralization issues
  • Economic implications for the poor
• How did the terms of the Poor Law Amendment Act address the failings of the ‘old’ Poor Laws?


  • Established a central authority for regulation
  • Created a uniform system across the country
  • Grouped parishes for efficiency
  • Introduced workhouses to manage relief
• What was the Speenhamland system?


  A system that supplemented wages based on the price of bread and family size
• What type of relief did the Old Poor Law provide?


  Outdoor relief, which was aid given to people in their homes
• How was the Old Poor Law administered?


  It was administered locally by parishes
• Why was the Old Poor Law system criticized?


  It became increasingly expensive and was seen as encouraging idleness
• What was the Workhouse Test introduced by the Poor Law Amendment Act 1834?


  Poor relief was only available to those willing to enter a workhouse
• What does the Less Eligibility Principle entail?


  Conditions in workhouses were intentionally harsh to discourage dependency
• How were parishes organized under the Poor Law Amendment Act 1834?


  Parishes were grouped into Poor Law Unions to increase efficiency
• What was abolished for able-bodied poor under the Poor Law Amendment Act 1834?


  Abolition of outdoor relief, except in special circumstances
• How were families treated in workhouses under the Poor Law Amendment Act 1834?


  Men, women, and children were housed separately
• What was the initial impact of the Poor Law Amendment Act 1834 on costs?


  The cost of poor relief decreased in many areas initially
• What social impact did the Poor Law Amendment Act 1834 have?


  It led to increased hardship for many poor people, particularly in rural areas
• What was the impact of the Poor Law Amendment Act 1834 on workhouses?


  Workhouses remained a part of British society until the early 20th century
• How did the Poor Law Amendment Act 1834 affect literature?


  The harsh conditions in workhouses inspired social commentary in literature
• What forms of resistance were used against the Poor Law Amendment Act?


  Riots, refusal to build workhouses, and political campaigns
• Why was the opposition to the Poor Law Amendment Act limited in success?


  Lack of coordinated national opposition and government determination to enforce the Act