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Poor law and workhouses. The old poor law. In the industrial revolution the poor in England, were looked after by a system set up in the 16 th century. Every parish (town) was to set up their own workhouses where the poor could live and work for very little or no pay.
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The old poor law • In the industrial revolution the poor in England, were looked after by a system set up in the 16th century. Every parish (town) was to set up their own workhouses where the poor could live and work for very little or no pay. • There was also another system called the outdoor relief. This system incorporated property owners and servants. Who ever owned a property was to pay a tax called the poor rate. The poor rate would go towards food and other necessary items for the servants.
The new poor law The new poor law changed by the British government in the late 16th century. Conditions were much harsher compared to the old poor law and a lot of rules were changed. The following rules were set. • Only those living in the workhouse would be entitled to any assistance. • The outdoor relief should be abolished
Life in a workhouse • Conditions in the workhouse were deliberately made as unpleasant as possible to stop others with a choice to live there. After the new poor law was past, families couldn’t stay together. Partners were separated and children were taken from mothers care. • Workhouse inmates were fed a minimal diet and were forced to eat in silence.
