Arguments for change to the Poor Law

Arguments for changes to the Poor Law

Thomas Malthus

• Economist
• Thought the population could rise and outstrip all available food supplies
• Poor Law was an encouragement to have more kids in order to claim poor relief
• Favoured ABOLITION OF POOR LAW

David Ricardo

• Economist
• Very similar to Malthus
• Believed that the more paid out for poor relief, the less avaliable for wages
• This drew more people in pauperism and drained wage fund
• Favoured ABOLITION OF POOR LAW

Thomas Paine 

• Writer/Republican
• Thought rich should be taxed to support the poor
• Wanted family allowances and old age pensions
• Thought able-bodied should go to work house and not recieve other relief

Robert Owen 

• Radical factory owner…