The New poor law was introduced in 1834 to reduce the cost of looking after the poor and impose a system that would be same all over the country. Under the law, parishes were grouped into unions and each union was to build a workhouse to look after its own poor. The New Poor-law was unsuccessful as conditions in the workhouse were harsh thus it belonged to those who desperately needed help. Families were split up to work in different parts of the workhouse under very strict rules and regulations. The poor were expected to wear uniforms, had a monotonous diet (bread and soup) and inmates, male and female, young and old were forced to work hard by doing unpleasant jobs i.e. breaking stones or picking oakum. Children were also hired to work in mines and factories.
