The Poor Law (Scotland) Act 1845 was an
Act of Parliament
Acts of Parliament, sometimes referred to as primary legislation, are texts of law passed by the Legislature, legislative body of a jurisdiction (often a parliament or council). In most countries with a parliamentary system of government, acts of ...
that reformed the
Poor Law
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 hel ...
system of Scotland.
Main provisions
* The creation of a
Board of Supervision
Board or Boards may refer to:
Flat surface
* Lumber, or other rigid material, milled or sawn flat
** Plank (wood)
** Cutting board
** Sounding board, of a musical instrument
* Cardboard (paper product)
* Paperboard
* Fiberboard
** Hardboard, a ...
to regulate the Poor Law system.
* A retention of the parish-based system through
Parochial Boards
Civil parishes are small divisions used for statistical purposes and formerly for local government in Scotland.
Civil parishes gained legal functions in 1845 which parochial boards were established to administer the poor law. Their local governm ...
* Powers for the Parochial Boards to raise taxes
*
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 hel ...
could continue to be in the form of
outdoor relief
Outdoor relief, an obsolete term originating with the Elizabethan Poor Law (1601), was a program of social welfare and poor relief. Assistance was given in the form of money, food, clothing or goods to alleviate poverty without the requirement t ...
,
poorhouse
A poorhouse or workhouse is a government-run (usually by a county or municipality) facility to support and provide housing for the dependent or needy.
Workhouses
In England, Wales and Ireland (but not in Scotland), ‘workhouse’ has been the ...
s could be built to aid the sick
* Parishes should join together to build poorhouses
* An Inspector of the Poor decided whether applications for poor relief were legitimate
See also
*
Old Scottish Poor Law
The Old Scottish Poor Law was the Poor Law system of Scotland between 1574 and 1845.
Origins
Population growth and economic dislocation from the second half of the sixteenth century led to a growing problem of vagrancy. The government reacted with ...
References
Scottish Poor Laws
United Kingdom Acts of Parliament 1845
19th century in Scotland
1845 in Scotland
Acts of the Parliament of the United Kingdom concerning Scotland
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