Poor Law policy after the New Poor Law

Poor Law policy after the New Poor Law concerns the time period c. 1847–1900 after the implementation of the

system at the start of the 20th century.

Administration

The

enfranchised a greater number of people meaning that Parliament became more concerned with welfare.

Cost

During this period the cost of the

came from the middle classes there was an attempt to keep poor rates as low as possible which often meant offering outdoor relief rather than building costly workhouses.

Outdoor relief

The numbers receiving outdoor relief actually rose during this period despite the attempts of the Poor Law Commission to limit outdoor relief. The Outdoor Relief Prohibitory Order was issued to reassert that the able-bodied should not receive outdoor relief and the Outdoor Labour Test Order meant that paupers in the North of England had to do hard monotonous work in order to receive outdoor relief. In 1863 when American crop failures led to an increase in pauperism the government passed short term measures which legitimized outdoor relief. The Local Government Board similarly encouraged those unions to limit outdoor relief.

Improvement in conditions

During the period after the passing of the

to the start of the 20th century the treatment of paupers became more humane. From the 1870s it was considered preferable for the elderly to receive outdoor relief. In 1860 treatment of sick paupers also increased as hospitals were separated from workhouses. In 1834 pauper children received a workhouse education and eventually schools were built separate from workhouse buildings.

References

Further reading

• JSTOR 2338611
  .