The Poor Law Inquiry 1834

The Poor Law Inquiry of 1834 was a government investigation into how poverty and welfare assistance were being managed in England. It aimed to assess existing relief methods, which often involved outdoor charity or local workhouses. The inquiry's findings led to the development of the new Poor Law, which centralized poor relief into workhouses—where those in need had to live and work in harsh conditions in exchange for support. The law aimed to reduce costs and discourage dependence on aid, but it also faced criticism for its strict and often inhumane treatment of the poor.