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Old System -1601 Local solution Could not cope with new problems of unemployment Speenhamland system raises rates. 1832 Reform Act Gives more power to middle classes Demand for reform of Poor system. Poor Law Amendment Act 1834. Royal Commission of Enquiry Edwin C hadwick
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Old System -1601 Local solution Could not cope with new problems of unemployment Speenhamland system raises rates 1832 Reform Act Gives more power to middle classes Demand for reform of Poor system Poor Law Amendment Act 1834 Royal Commission of Enquiry Edwin Chadwick Utilitarian solution ‘less eligibility’ Aim to reduce ‘outdoor relief’ Worst off to enter Workhouse Conditions meant to be ‘worse than lowest paid labourer’ To put off claiming relief Sin to be poor
Result was a centrally controlled system of Poor Relief. Workhouses built - Poor Law Unions – Poor Law Commissioners in London decide on conditions Results Countryside Some success – less pressure on system so ‘outdoor relief’ was reduced’ – Workhouse system worked to some extent – some reduction in Poor Rates Town – not so successful. In depressions not enough workhouse places for unemployed. Many riots when unemployed claimed outdoor relief and refused Carmarthen 1843