Overhaul Act for the Relief of the Poor 1601

1 overhaul

1.1 industrialisation
1.2 french wars
1.3 corruption
1.4 cost
1.5 unrest
1.6 criticism leading intellectuals

overhaul
industrialisation

the 1601 system pre-industrial society , massive population increases after industrial revolution strained existing system. mechanisation meant unemployment increasing, therefore poor relief costs not met.

french wars

the french revolutionary wars , napoleonic wars occurred in 1792–1797, 1798–1801, 1805–1807, , 1813–1814, , ended after battle of waterloo in 1815. wars meant there periods of trade blockades on britain prevented britain importing large amounts of grain, raising price of bread. blockades coupled poor harvests in 1813 , 1814 kept price of bread high.

after war cheap imports returned. many farmers went bankrupt because poor rate remained high. farmers had pay war-time taxes. resulting bankruptcies caused rural workers become unemployed, , many farmers survived lowered workers wages.

the corn laws passed tory government of lord liverpool protect british farmers. imports not occur until prices had reached 80 shillings quarter. aimed prevent both grain prices , wages fluctuating. however, kept prices artificially high , made more people claim poor relief. returning soldiers further added pressures on poor law system. further poor harvests in 1818 , 1819 meant costs of poor relief hit £8m during period.

corruption

in 1819 select vestries established. these committees set in each parish responsible poor law administration. there concerns on corruption within system contracts supplying food , beer went local traders or these vestries.

cost

the cost of current system increasing late 18th century 19th century. although outdoor relief cheaper building workhouses, numbers claiming outdoor relief increased. increasing numbers of people claiming relief peaked after economic dislocation caused french wars when 12 shillings per head of population. during period strain put on system population increase 9 million 14 million in time period indicated graph.

unrest

one reason changing system prevent unrest or revolution. habeas corpus suspended , 6 acts passed prevent possible riots. swing riots highlighted possibility of agricultural unrest.

criticism leading intellectuals

jeremy bentham argued disciplinary, punitive approach social problems, whilst writings of thomas malthus focused attention on problem of overpopulation, , growth of illegitimacy. david ricardo argued there iron law of wages . effect of poor relief, in view of reformers, undermine position of independent labourer .