Poor Law Commission

The Poor Law Commission was a government body established in 1834 in England to oversee and reform the system of poor relief. Its main goal was to improve how aid was provided to impoverished individuals, reducing reliance on parish-based charities and encouraging the creation of workhouses. The Commission introduced uniform standards and policies, aiming for more efficient and less costly support for the needy. It played a key role in shaping Victorian social welfare, emphasizing workhouses as a means to manage poverty while discouraging idleness.