Poor Law Development 1847-75 Flashcards
Why wasn’t the commission’s contract extended beyond 1847?
The Andover scandal (1845-6) revealed the worst abuses of the workhouse system and the apparent lack of willingness of the commission to detect and correct such matters.
The way the commission itself attacked the assistant commissioner responsible for the Andover workhouse alarmed those who knew how administrators should be treated in problematic situations
The select committee revealed that there was considerable tensions within Somerset House (where the commission worked)
Why did the Andover scandal lead to the end of the PLC?
PLC blamed Parker for not discovering the abuses sooner and sacking him, and by issuing an order forbidding bone-crushing.
Too little too late - Parker struck back by writing a well-arguments pamphlet gaining the support of Chadwick and precipitating an enquiry by a select committee of the House of Commons.
The full report was highly critical of the PLC and it was clear that a major shake-up in the administration of the Poor Laws was highly likely
The select committee’s enquiry revealed more than the straightforward maladministration of one workhouse
How did the LGB try to reduce the numbers of paupers receiving relief?
Issued a circular condemning outdoor relief on the basis that it took away from the poor all desire to save for bad time by offering relief to them in their homes whenever they need it
Supported local authorities when they took a harsh line with the able-bodied poor asking for relief
Authorised Boards of Guardians to take part in emigration schemes, whereby groups of paupers were sponsored to emigrate
These administrative shifts reflected a shift in the attitude to poverty among legislators and the public. Poverty and therefore pauperism came to be seen less as a disgrace associated with events beyond…
The control of an individual or with personal inadequacy and accident
Why was this change in attitude key?
It was part of a growing belief that society had a duty to protect its more vulnerable members
How was the finance situation improved?
Union Chargeability Act 1865
How did the union chargeability act help?
Placed the financial burden of relief on the union as a whole
Each parish contributed to a common fund and it’s contribution was based upon the rateable value of properties in the parish - not the number of paupers for whom the parish was responsible (richer parishes subsidised the poorer ones, owned larger properties=paid higher poor rates)
1868 Poor Law Loans Act attempted to ease the situation by…
Allowing guardians to extend the repayments on loans from the Public Works Commissioners to up to 30 years
Guardians could thus contemplate applying for the level of loan that would enable them to upgrade their facilities without adding too much to the poor rate they levied
