The New Poor Law

The New Poor Law of 1834 was a government reform in England aimed at reforming how society supported impoverished people. It aimed to reduce costs by discouraging reliance on outdoor relief (helping people at home) and instead requiring them to live and work in workhouses—segregated facilities where conditions were often harsh. The law was based on the belief that assistance should be a deterrent to laziness and that work was necessary for reform. While intended to make social support more efficient, it faced criticism for its harsh treatment of the poor and its harsh conditions in workhouses.