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Poor relief

In English and British history, poor relief refers to government and ecclesiastical action to relieve poverty. Over the centuries, various authorities have needed to decide whose poverty deserves relief and also who should bear the cost of helping the poor. Alongside ever-changing attitudes towards poverty, many methods have been attempted to answer these questions. Since the early 16th century legislation on poverty enacted by the Parliament of England, poor relief has developed from being little more than a systematic means of punishment into a complex system of government-funded support and protection, especially following the creation in the 1940s of the welfare state.

For broader coverage of this topic, see Poverty reduction.

The impotent poor (people who could not work) were to be cared for in an or a poorhouse. In this way, the law offered relief to people who were unable to work, mainly those who were elderly, blind, or crippled or otherwise physically infirm.

almshouse

The able-bodied poor were to be set to work in a House of Industry. All materials necessary for this work were to be provided for them.

[9]

The idle poor and vagrants were to be sent to a or prison.

House of Correction

Pauper children would become apprentices.

Alms

Debt relief

Poverty in the United Kingdom

Poverty reduction

Public works