Welfare Cuts and Crime: Evidence from the New Poor Law

Eric Melander; Martina Miotto

doi:10.1093/ej/ueac083

Welfare Cuts and Crime: Evidence from the New Poor Law

Eric Melander^*
, Martina Miotto

^*Corresponding author for this work

Economics

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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Abstract

The New Poor Law reform of 1834 induced dramatic and heterogeneous reductions in welfare spending across English and Welsh counties. Using the reform in a difference-in-differences instrumental variables strategy, we document a robust negative relationship between the generosity of welfare provision and criminal activity. Results are driven by non-violent property crimes and are stronger during months of seasonal agricultural unemployment, highlighting the particularly criminogenic combination of welfare cuts and precarious work opportunities for the economically vulnerable.

Original language	English
Article number	ueac083
Pages (from-to)	1248–1264
Number of pages	17
Journal	The Economic Journal
Volume	133
Issue number	651
Early online date	4 Nov 2022
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1093/ej/ueac083
Publication status	Published - Apr 2023

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth
SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

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title = "Welfare Cuts and Crime: Evidence from the New Poor Law",

abstract = "The New Poor Law reform of 1834 induced dramatic and heterogeneous reductions in welfare spending across English and Welsh counties. Using the reform in a difference-in-differences instrumental variables strategy, we document a robust negative relationship between the generosity of welfare provision and criminal activity. Results are driven by non-violent property crimes and are stronger during months of seasonal agricultural unemployment, highlighting the particularly criminogenic combination of welfare cuts and precarious work opportunities for the economically vulnerable.",

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AB - The New Poor Law reform of 1834 induced dramatic and heterogeneous reductions in welfare spending across English and Welsh counties. Using the reform in a difference-in-differences instrumental variables strategy, we document a robust negative relationship between the generosity of welfare provision and criminal activity. Results are driven by non-violent property crimes and are stronger during months of seasonal agricultural unemployment, highlighting the particularly criminogenic combination of welfare cuts and precarious work opportunities for the economically vulnerable.

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Welfare Cuts and Crime: Evidence from the New Poor Law

Abstract

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