In the face of considerable controversy, assistance continued to be provided without requiring the poor to enter oppressive workhouses. Outdoor relief, as the alternative was known, was expanded as the most cost-effective way to address the poverty problem.
英国政治家的应对措施是改革社会安全网。1834年，《新济贫法》（New Poor Law）规定了社会福利的国家标准。尽管争议重重，但穷人仍可以获得补助而不必进入压抑的救济所。另一个方案，即所谓的户外救济（outdoor relief）也获得了扩大，成为解决贫困问题的成本最低的方法。