Financial Pressure For Change Of Poor Relief Before 1834

Question 1

What impact did the end of the Napoleonic War have on workers and factories?

Answer 1

Military contracts ended with factories which reduced demand for goods, lead to industries laying off workers which increased demand for poor relief

Question 2

What percentage of GDP did poor relief approach around 1815?

Answer 2

2%

Question 3

Between 1815-1833, what was the LOWEST amount spent on poor relief annually?

Answer 3

£5.7 million - even during economic boom in 1820s - shows need for change

Question 4

What further impact did the increase in the number of poor have on ratepayers ( property owners, able to retain stable employment)?

Answer 4

Growing costs of poor relief provided more financial burdens on ratepayers as they were paying more, increased demand for reform

Question 5

How can the financial pressures of the poor relief seem to have improved in the early 1820s?

Answer 5

Economic improvement, in 1824 poor relief was 3 shillings less a head than in 1819

Question 6

What were the negative and positive impacts of industrialisation, creating pressure for reform?

Answer 6

Industrialisation did provide employment, however created hunger politics as working class unable to be provided labour during recessions which increased demand for reform of system

Question 7

What is the link between political influence and demand for poor relief reform?

Answer 7

The richer were paying more for the poor rates, so were seeing more negative impacts of the old poor law system - also had the influence to vote which meant they could vote for change