Factory Act 1833

1844 Factory Act

Caused by peel, woman working hours to same as 13-18 year olds, reduce social discontent, safety precautions (avoid danger), society more moral

Ten Hour movement

Caused the reform, reduce to 10 hours, Oastler (Tory) financed by factory owners and Tory elites, humanitarian causes, child factory workers need better conditions to be effective, remain productive.

Impact of Act

Clear guidelines (education), moral moral for the young

Woman

Forced to work, kept woman from home, bad effect on Britain So its better in women can spend more time at home.

Opposition for the Act

Free trade argument - not affect its productivity, allow markets to set up their own value, helps Industrial middle class making them more competitive. Nassau Senior - profit only made at the end of the day (once made up for expenses) so shouldn't reform, get no profit.

Peel 1841

Further reform, reduce social distress, undermined Britain's moral condition

Support for the Act

Humanitarian mill owners, working class protests (Ten hour movement), Diversity of support (unity, same desire/own motivation)

Enforcers

Inspectors of factories, measures to ensure compliance. 4 men to 4000 mills but laid ground for regulation in more years

Social reformers for the Factory Act

Lord Ashley - morally right, Michael Sadler (Tory)- fear of declining practices, protected markets to make UK strong. John Hobhouse (Whig) - economic growth, child labour (work worse when old)

The Factory Act

Most important legislation, more paternalistic government. 1. No child employed if under 9 2. Children 9-13 years old, 48 hour week, 8 hour day 3. 13 - 18, 12 hr day 4. Children under 13, 2hrs education a day

Further legislation

Oastlers 1847 Ten hour day, for women and children (men could sell labour as they choose), 1850 specific day times 7.00-7.00pm (summer), 6.00-6.00pm (winter)

Limitations

Only applied to textile industry, undermined impact in other industries, limit regulation an error, quality of life of children compromised for business.

Prospect

Reformers determined for more change, once business fully established could see problems and seek for reform. Not just for economic reasons but looking at impact on people.

Strengths

Symbolised open government, recognise impact of industrialisation, gov listened to concerns? Mutual solution?