Study offers many parallels with modern austerity and welfare reform
A cornerstone of nineteenth century welfare reform, the 1834 Poor Law Amendment Act, had a devastating impact on child health and rural life expectancy in England and Wales, says a new study.
The authors say it has important parallels with the effects of austerity in Britain today.
Researchers from King's College London, Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Cambridge estimate that the sweeping cuts to poor relief increased child mortality by as much as 10% amongst children under four.
It also led to a decline of more than 2% in rural life expectancy at birth, said lead author Professor Emeritus David Green.
The reforms were driven by a desire to cut costs and discourage dependency," said Professor Emeritus David Green, one of the co-authors. But our findings show that this came at a significant human cost, particularly for young children in rural communities.
Professor Emeritus David Green
Published in the Economic History Review, the findings identify cuts in welfare in the 1830s, primarily to larger families, as the key driver of deteriorating health outcomes for the poor.
The study also helps address one of the puzzles of historical demography in England: why life expectancies in rural areas during the mid-nineteenth century didn't increase.
The 1834 Act which reformed the system of poor relief in England and Wales was designed to reduce costs by discouraging dependency. It replaced outdoor relief - financial or in-kind support provided to the poor in their homes - with a system that required the destitute to enter workhouses.
These institutions were intentionally harsh, aiming to deter all but the most desperate from seeking help.
But the new study suggests that this cost-cutting approach came at a steep human cost.
The researchers analysed data from over 7,700 rural parishes and drew on historical questionnaires and mortality records.
They found that the reforms were associated with an 8-10% increase in mortality among children under four and a 2-4% reduction in rural life expectancy at birth.
They team found that the elimination of family allowances - especially in counties previously using the so-called 'Speenhamland' system - was a key factor in the rise in child deaths.
Under Speenhamland, wages were supplemented based on family size and the price of bread. Its removal meant that many families could no longer afford basic necessities The most likely outcome of this was worsening nutrition and increased susceptibility to disease, with young children in large families the most vulnerable group.
"This was not just a bureaucratic change-it was a shift in the moral economy of welfare," said co-author Dr Gabriel Mesevage. "The state withdrew support from families at a time when they needed it most, and the consequences were deadly."
The findings have contemporary resonance, as debates over welfare reform and austerity continue to shape public policy. The authors suggest that historical evidence like this can inform modern discussions about the balance between cost-saving and social responsibility.
Professor Green said: "As Britain continues to grapple with questions of poverty, inequality, and public health, this study offers a stark reminder of the long-term consequences of welfare retrenchment."
Read the paper:
Green, D., Mesevage, G., Mooney, G., and Szreter, S. ' The new poor law and the health of the population of England and Wales', Economic History Review, 00 (2025), pp. 1-40. https://doi.org/10.1111/ehr.70035
