Factory Act 1833 limits child labour

Background. Prior to 1833, early acts regulating child labour in cotton mills were effectively unenforced. The 1833 Act, known as Althorp's Act, sought to establish a regular working day in textile manufacture. It extended protections from the cotton industry to other textile industries, reducing working hours for children. The Act's provisions included education requirements, which were later criticized as impracticable, and a relay system to manage mill operations without exceeding permitted workdays.

Inspectorate Provisions. The Act established a professional Factory Inspectorate, marking a significant change from previous unenforced regulations. Inspectors no longer held powers of Justices of the Peace, but millowners and their relatives were barred from hearing Factory Act cases if they were magistrates. The inspectorate's first report in 1835 noted that education clauses were impracticable and that relay working was difficult due to insufficient numbers of children.

Impact on Child Labour. Despite the restrictions on hours of work, employment in textile mills increased over time, but accidents were half what they had been and 'factory cripples' were no longer seen. The Act's education requirements later came under attack, with the Leeds Mercury arguing education was something individuals could do for themselves better than government. In 1835, seven-tenths of factory children were illiterate, though by 1874 seven-tenths had a tolerable education. A later bill left the 1833 definition of 'night' unaltered, and Lord Ashley's amendment to limit the working day for women and young persons to ten hours was defeated heavily.