How Far Do the Sources Suggest That the Main Obstacle to Public Health Improvement in the 1840’s Was the Costs Involved?

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Having looked at three different sources which talk about, and suggest reasons for the lack of improvement in, public health in the 1840’s, I can see that there were multiple obstacles hindering its progress. One of these obstacles is the laissez fare attitude which the government held at the time, and the way they neglected the needs of the working classes due to their lack of political impact. Another factor was the fear of centralisation, the conflict it would cause with local authorities, and the fact that it would lead to a more continental European system- with the traditional British methods and values losing out. The final obstacle I’m going to look at is the issue of costs, and the financial burden brought onto the middle class tax payer from having an advanced public health system. Overall I think the sources suggest that the biggest obstacle from public health was actually the fear of centralisation, as the sources provide evidence to suggest that, although cost may have been used as an excuse for a lack of progress, enough funds were available to introduce public health boards and create water systems- meaning there must have been a different reason other than cost stopping progress happening in each area, and centralisation is the reason the sources use most. A source which suggests that cost was the biggest obstacle is source 10, which is a speech from a tory mp who states that “I object to the establishment of a commission which would impose taxation”. This is a man from the government, who would have made the decision over whether bills like the public health act were passed, and he has given clear evidence that expenses were a big reason behind lack of progress, so it is very strong evidence for this argument. However, later in the source he reveals other obstacles for public health. Also, this man is a conservative mp, a traditionally wealthy party
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