Poor Law Commission facts for kids

The Poor Law Commission was a group set up in Britain to help manage support for poor people. This happened after a new law, the Poor Law Amendment Act 1834, was passed.

The Commission had three main leaders, called commissioners. They also had a secretary and several assistants. These leaders were sometimes called "The Bashaws of Somerset House" because they were very powerful.

The Poor Law Commission worked from 1834 until 1847. It was then replaced by a new group called the Poor Law Board. One big reason for this change was a problem at the Andover workhouse.

Edwin Chadwick was a key person who helped write the new Poor Law. He wanted to be a commissioner. But he only became the secretary. This caused many arguments within the Commission. These disagreements were a big reason why the Poor Law Commission was eventually closed down.

What the Commission Could Do

The Poor Law Commission was quite independent. This meant it could make its own rules without Parliament always agreeing. But this also meant people in Parliament often criticized it.

In local areas, called parishes, many people really disliked the commissioners. The Commission could give orders, but it was hard to make local areas follow them.

However, the Commission did have some important powers. It could decide what food people in workhouses should eat. It could also stop people from joining local groups called boards of guardians. These groups helped manage poor relief. This made it tough for parishes that didn't agree with the Commission.

Starting the New Poor Law

Edwin Chadwick, the secretary, wanted to start the new Poor Law in northern England first. At that time, the North had good employment and plenty of food.

But the economy there relied on only a few types of jobs. This meant unemployment could change a lot. It was hard to build enough workhouses to help everyone when many people lost their jobs at once.

James Kay-Shuttleworth, an assistant commissioner, also supported bringing the Poor Law to the North. He believed that poverty was caused by people being careless or not planning for the future.

Commissioners (1834-1847)

Here are the main commissioners who led the Poor Law Commission: