Majority report (Poor Law)

The Majority report was a report published by the Royal Commission on the Poor Laws published in 1909. The Royal Commission on the Poor Laws was a group set up to work out the best way to relieve the poor of economic and societal hardship. The Commission was made up of members of the Charity Organisation Society such as Helen Bosanquet as well as Local Government Boards, Trade Unions and social researchers such as Charles Booth.

The majority report was, however, only one report the Royal Commission published. Another report known as Minority report was also published.

Findings of the report

• The origins of poverty were moral factors
• The Poor Law should remain
• Boards of Guardians provided too much outdoor relief
• Able-bodied poor were not deterred from seeking relief because of mixed workhouses.