Poor Laws and Workhouses
Negatives
Workhouses which were built by some villages or parishes were often overcrowded and unpleasant places to stay. The workhouses were made unpleasant on purpose; this was supposed to try and deter able workers from coming and living there. Later on, outdoor relief was abolished, meaning that all poor people receiving the poor tax had to go live at a workhouse (they has no choice, they were forced). The poor law was revised. One change that was made was that families were split up, meaning that they wouldn't get to see each other. Another change that was made was that only those who were living in the workhouses received assistance. Meals were kept to the bare minimum, planned by the master on purpose to only have enough nutrition to barely keep them alive. In one case, some workers were so hungry that they began eating animal bones which they were supposed to be grinding to create fertiliser. The master was the person who controlled the workhouse; he was cruel and didn't care about the workers at all, to him they were his slaves who he paid little to for lots of work. In 1939, 350 new workhouses were built.
Positives
Before workhouses were in existence, each village or parish had the job of looking after the poor. Also before workhouse, outdoor relief was allowed, meaning that the poor got money for living at home and working. Families were allowed to live together when this took place.
Workhouses which were built by some villages or parishes were often overcrowded and unpleasant places to stay. The workhouses were made unpleasant on purpose; this was supposed to try and deter able workers from coming and living there. Later on, outdoor relief was abolished, meaning that all poor people receiving the poor tax had to go live at a workhouse (they has no choice, they were forced). The poor law was revised. One change that was made was that families were split up, meaning that they wouldn't get to see each other. Another change that was made was that only those who were living in the workhouses received assistance. Meals were kept to the bare minimum, planned by the master on purpose to only have enough nutrition to barely keep them alive. In one case, some workers were so hungry that they began eating animal bones which they were supposed to be grinding to create fertiliser. The master was the person who controlled the workhouse; he was cruel and didn't care about the workers at all, to him they were his slaves who he paid little to for lots of work. In 1939, 350 new workhouses were built.
Positives
Before workhouses were in existence, each village or parish had the job of looking after the poor. Also before workhouse, outdoor relief was allowed, meaning that the poor got money for living at home and working. Families were allowed to live together when this took place.