Poor Law Unions, Work Houses, etc.

The parochial poor relief plan goes back to the fifteenth century. With closing of monasteries in 1536, together with the breakdown of medieval social structure, charity for the poor gradually moved from its traditional voluntary framework to become a compulsory tax administered at the parish level.

Legislation prior to this point largely dealt with beggars and vagabonds. In the aftermath of the Black Death (1348-9) labor was in short supply and wages rose steeply. To try and keep this in check, several Acts were passed aimed at forcing all able-bodied men to work and keep wages at their old levels. These measures led to laborers roaming around the country looking for an area where the wages were high and where the labor laws not too strictly enforced. Some took to begging under the pretence of being ill or crippled. In 1349, the Ordinance of Laborers (36 Edw.III c.8) prohibited private individuals from giving relief to able-bodied beggars.

THE PLAN:

The Church-Wardens and Overseers of the Poor of any Parish, with the Consent of the Major Part of the Parishioners, in Vestry, or other Public Meeting for that purpose assembled, upon usual notice given, may purchase or hire any House or Houses in the Parish or Place, and Contract with Persons for the Lodging, Keeping and Employing of poor Persons; and there they are to keep them, and take the Benefit of their Work and Labor, for the better Maintenance and Relief of such Persons. And in case any poor Person shall refuse to be Lodged, Kept and Maintained in such House or Houses, such Person shall be put out of the Parish Books, and not entitled to Relief.
  Where Parishes are small, two or more such Parishes, with the Approbation of a Justice of the Peace, may unite in Purchasing or Hiring Houses for the Purposes aforesaid. And Church-Wardens, etc. of one Parish, with the Consent of the Major Part of the Parishioners, may contract with the Church-Wardens, etc. of any other Parish, for the Lodging and Maintenance of the Poor.
  But no poor Persons, or their Apprentices, Children, etc. shall receive a settlement in the Parish, Town, or Place to which they shall be removed, by Virtue of this Act.
  Note. This is a General Law, and extends to all England.

You can read the full text of the Knatchbull's Act