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Was the Poor Law ready for change?
Member rating: No Rating | Words: | Submitted: Thu Aug 28 2003
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Was the Poor Law ready for change? By end of 18th century, system of poor relief was under increasing pressure. Rising population meant more mouths to feed. New cotton mills taking away livelihood of spinners and weavers in the north. Food prices rising faster than wages, which meant people in work, were unable to feed their families. Economy suffering extreme booms and slumps and almost any worker could be suddenly out of work. The Gilberts Act 1782 allowed parishes to join together into unions to build workhouses to make the cost more affordable. Workhouses would be for the old, the sick and children and it officially allowed outdoor relief and Poor Law Guardians were to administer it. However this act made little difference as few parishes formed unions and the cost of taking care of the poor continued to rise. The 'Roundsmen' system was designed to help able-bodied poor people. Labourers...
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