London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

View report page

Islington 1905

Fiftieth annual report on the health and sanitary condition of the Metropolitan Borough of Islington

This page requires JavaScript

223
[1905
STATE OF PAUPERISM.
It has been usual for several years to give a return as to the state of
pauperism in the borough during the year urfder consideration. Last year,
especially towards its close, as everyone knows, there was a considerable
amount of public discussion as to the large number of persons who were out
of employment and the means whereby they could be provided with work. It
will, therefore, come as no surprise to find from the returns that the average
weekly number of persons receiving relief numbered 9,224, as compared with
8,086 in 1904, and 8,004 in 1903, and with an average of 7,161 in the nine
years 1896-1904.
The figures require no comment, as they speak for themselves, showing
only too well that in no previous year have there been presumably so many
people out of work.

The returns since 1896 have been as follows :—

18966,436 per week relieved.
18976,486 ,,
18986,635 ,,
18996,854 ,,
19006,956 ,,
19017,327 ,,
19027,668 ,,
19038,004 ,,
19048,086 „
Average7,161 ,,
19059,224 ,,

Indoor Paupers.—The average weekly number of indoor paupers,
including adults and children, was 4,295, as compared with 3,622 in 1904, and
3,879 in 1903, and an average of 3,777 in the 9 years 1896-1904.
Outdoor Paupers.—Here also the increase in the number relieved is
marked, as no less than 4,929, of whom 3,302 were adults and 1,627 children
under 16 years of age, were relieved each week, as compared with 4,464 in
1904, 4,125 in 1903, and an average of 4,929 in the 9 years 1896-1904.
Yagrants Relieved.—Under this heading there was a decrease when
compared with 1904, for the weekly average for the year was only 580, compared
with 65 in the preceding year. It, however, shows an increase of 35 on
the weekly average of the preceding 9 years.
Children Boarded Out.—The number of children boarded out
averaged 126, as compared with 122 in 1904, 127 in 1903 and an average of
120 in the 9 years 1896-1904.