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(Jan 2010 Q b (i)) Do you agree with the view that the main aim of poor law administration after 1834 was to deter the able-bodied poor from seeking poor relief?

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(Jan 2010 Q b (i)) Do you agree with the view that the main aim of poor law administration after 1834 was to deter the able-bodied poor from seeking poor relief?
(Jan 2010 Q b (i)) Do you agree with the view that the main aim of poor law administration after 1834 was to deter the able-bodied poor from seeking poor relief?
The report compiled by the 1832 commission of enquiry displays its strong belief that the able bodied poor were and had to be put in their 'proper position' as the reform of the poor law was based on the commission’s findings this could suggest that they agree with the interpretation that main aim of the poor law administration after 1834 was to deter the able-bodied from seeking poor relief. However D. Englander, author of 'Poverty and Poor Law Reform in 19th Century Britain' acknowledges some accuracy within the interpretation of the question. However he dismisses the idea that the main aim of poor law administration after 1834 was to deter able-bodied poor from seeking poor relief by stating "the workhouse was always something more than a test of destitution for the able-bodied". Englander acknowledges the role of the workhouse and how they were implemented in an attempt to help the deserving poor. However Peter Murray author of 'Poverty and Welfare' supports the interpretation from the report written by the commission and consequently agrees with the interpretation in question. Murray labels the workhouses as "institutionalised cruelty", presenting a definite belief that the main aim of poor law administration after 1834 was to deter able-bodied poor from seeking poor relief. Overall, when considering the national aim of poor law administration after 1834 it was administered in order to deter able-bodied poor from seeking poor relief. However at a local level this was completely different, in order to cut costs the main aim of local poor law administration was to costs after 1834. Concerning the treatment of the deserving poor the administration after 1834 aimed to sympathise with the deserving poor however it was difficult to implement at a local level.
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