ABSTRACT
The right to assistance for destitute individuals and families was enshrined in the English poor laws – which entitled a claimant in need to apply to her or his local parish for help. In response, local parish officials were obliged to visit claimants and respond to their needs. Claimants in turn recognized their right to claim and the way they framed their appeals in letters is illustrated in the chapter. Scottish poor law, however, recognized no such right. Both systems of support came under attack as Britain began to industrialize, with critics alleging that the English poor law in particular was over-generous, created dependency and offered ample opportunity for deception and fraud. The critics became vociferous following the conclusion of the war with France in 1815, as proponents of free markets concluded that welfare assistance held back economic development. Evangelical Christians powered many of the reform movements in the first half of the 19th century, such as anti-slavery and prison reform movements. But in relation to welfare assistance some evangelicals regarded the poor law as an open invitation to imposters – especially beggars. The Mendicity Society in England and Wales, and in Scotland the evangelical Thomas Chalmers, were determined to root out false claims for assistance. Despite the growing reaction to the right to assistance, the poor law (soon to become known as the “old poor law”) left a legacy of entitlement never completely extinguished. Tom Paine, an exponent of human rights, worked out a fully costed welfare regime – which at one point a Conservative government was thinking of adopting.
