Origins

Public attitudes to the poor have varied over the centuries: in Tudor times beggars and vagabonds were seen as a public nuisance, and could be placed in the stocks and then expelled from the parish. No distinction was made between the 'idle' beggars and the old, ill or disabled who were unable to work.

In later times authorities began to differentiate between the 'deserving poor' and others. Schemes were made to collect donations (either voluntary or through a rating system) to pay for food and shelter for the poor, given to the 'deserving' only. The able-bodied received help only in exchange for work.