Workhouse test
Encyclopedia
The workhouse test was a condition of the British Poor Law Amendment Act 1834
. It stated that anyone who wanted to get poor relief must enter a workhouse
. The condition was never implemented and outdoor relief
continued to be given. The "workhouse test" should not be confused with the Workhouse Test Act
.
Poor Law Amendment Act 1834
The Poor Law Amendment Act 1834, sometimes abbreviated to PLAA, was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom passed by the Whig government of Lord Melbourne that reformed the country's poverty relief system . It was an Amendment Act that completely replaced earlier legislation based on the...
. It stated that anyone who wanted to get poor relief must enter a workhouse
Workhouse
In England and Wales a workhouse, colloquially known as a spike, was a place where those unable to support themselves were offered accommodation and employment...
. The condition was never implemented and outdoor relief
Outdoor relief
This article refers to Britain's welfare provision after the 1601 Poor Law. For welfare programmes see Social securityAfter the passing of the Elizabethan Poor Law , outdoor relief was that kind of poor relief where assistance was in the form of money, food, clothing or goods, given to alleviate...
continued to be given. The "workhouse test" should not be confused with the Workhouse Test Act
Workhouse Test Act
The Workhouse Test Act also known as the General Act or Knatchbull's Act was poor relief legislation passed by the British government by Sir Edward Knatchbull in 1723. The "workhouse test" was that a person who wanted to receive poor relief had to enter a workhouse and undertake a set amount of work...
.