The twentieth-century Poor Law in the Midlands and Wales, c.1900-1930
This thesis examines the New Poor Law between c.1900 and 1930, the last three decades of its operation before boards of guardians were abolished by the 1929 Local Government Act. The poor law during this period has been widely neglected by historians in terms of focused regional studies, and although some scholars have acknowledged the system's continued activity, the nature of this activity at a local level has been little explored. Discussions of the poor law in existing literature on early twentieth century welfare are more often framed in terms of the alternative provisions being constructed around it, and the unsuccessful attempts by government at reform during these decades. This thesis refocuses attention on the realities of poor law administration on the ground, exploring the post-1900 poor law through four case studies chosen from across the Midlands of England and central Wales. The everyday operations of the poor law unions in each case study are reconstructed, and distinct regional welfare cultures are revealed, with relief policies and practices informed by specific local socio-economic conditions. Interactions between the poor law and a range of key welfare reforms are explored, and the relationship
Blacklaws, Nicola
The twentieth-century Poor Law in the Midlands and Wales, c.1900-1930. This thesis examines the New Poor Law between c.1900 and 1930, the last three decades of its operation before boards of guardians were abolished by the 1929 Local Government Act. The poor law during this period has been widely neglected by historians in terms of focused regional studies, and although some scholars have acknowledged the system's continued activity, the nature of this activity at a local level has been little explored. Discussions of the poor law in existing literature on early twentieth century welfare are more often framed in terms of the alternative provisions being constructed around it, and the unsuccessful attempts by government at reform during these decades. This thesis refocuses attention on the realities of poor law administration on the ground, exploring the post-1900 poor law through four case studies chosen from across the Midlands of England and central Wales. The everyday operations of the poor law unions in each case study are reconstructed, and distinct regional welfare cultures are revealed, with relief policies and practices informed by specific local socio-economic conditions. Interactions between the poor law and a range of key welfare reforms are explored, and the relationship
twentieth_century poor_law midlands wales examines new poor law operation board guardian abolish local government act poor_law period_widely neglect_historian term focus regional_study although scholar acknowledge system continued activity nature activity local_level little explored discussions poor_law exist_literature welfare often frame term alternative provision construct around unsuccessful attempts government reform decade attention realities poor_law administration ground explore post poor_law four_case study choose across midlands england central wales everyday operation poor_law union case_study reconstruct distinct_regional welfare culture reveal relief policy_practice inform specific local socio_economic condition interactions poor_law range key welfare reform explore_relationship