An Economic History of the English Poor Law, 1750-1850

During the last third of the eighteenth century, most parishes in rural southern England adopted policies providing poor relief outside workhouses to unemployed and underemployed able-bodied labourers. The debate over the economic effects of 'outdoor' relief payments to able-bodied workers has continued for over 200 years. This book examines the economic role of the Poor Law in the rural south of England. It presents a model of the agricultural labour market that provides explanations for the widespread adoption of outdoor relief policies, the persistence of such policies until the passage of the Poor Law Amendment Act in 1834, and the sharp regional differences in the administration of relief. The book challenges many commonly held beliefs about the Poor Law and concludes that the adoption of outdoor relief for able-bodied paupers was a rational response by politically dominant farmers to changes in the rural economic environment. The late 18th century saw a significant increase in relief generosity for able-bodied paupers under the Poor Law of 1597. This book examines the political motivation, regional variations, and the economic and demographic impact of relief until its abolition in 1834 During the last third of the eighteenth century, several changes took place in the administration of poor relief, the most important of which was the widespread provision of relief outside the workhouse to able-bodied laborers who were unemployed or underemployed. This book examines the political motivation, regional variations and the economic and demographic impact of the Poor Law in the rural south of England George R. Boyer. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 273-287) And Index.