New Poor Law

The New Poor Law, enacted in Britain in 1834, was designed to reform how society helped the needy. It aimed to reduce costs by discouraging casual or long-term reliance on public assistance. The law centralized poor relief, making impoverished individuals stay in workhouses where conditions were tough but affordable. Its core idea was that aid should only be given in exchange for work, encouraging self-sufficiency. Although intended to improve efficiency and reduce dependency, it faced significant criticism for harsh treatment of the poor and neglect of compassionate support.