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In 1833, a Poor Law Commission examined the working of the poor laws. Its report published in 1834 made several recommendations to Parliament. Each parish or union was to build a workhouse, the able-bodied poor could only receive help in a workhouse which was intended to act as a deterrent. A Board of Guardians was to be elected by ratepayers to collect the Poor Rate, govern the workhouse and report to the Poor Law Commission appointed by the government.

List of Poor Law Unions in Lancashire

Poor Law Unions (PLUs) were formed in the historic county of Lancashire after the enactment of the Poor Law Amendment Act 1834 when groups of townships were formed into unions. The PLUs were administered by Boards of Guardians which were expected to provide a central workhouse. The law was not popular and encountered considerable resistance in the more heavily industrialised areas and many PLUs were forced to adopt the legislation after pressure from parliament. One Gilbert Union, at Caton, remained in existence after 1834.