the Poor Law Amendment Act 1834

The Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834 was a UK law that reformed how poverty was managed. It aimed to reduce government spending on poor relief by encouraging the poor to seek work and by establishing centralized workhouses. These workhouses provided basic accommodations and work in exchange for aid, often under harsh conditions to discourage dependence. The law emphasized deterrence over charity, leading to the widespread use of workhouses, which many viewed as unkind. Overall, it sought to make poor relief more efficient but also more punitive, reflecting changing attitudes toward poverty and responsibility during that period.