The Workhouse Test Act, passed in 1723, allowed parishes in England to require the poor to enter workhouses as a condition of receiving relief. This legislation was part of a broader effort to manage poverty and welfare during a time of economic change. While intended to reduce the burden on local governments, the Act often resulted in harsh conditions for the poor, who were subjected to labor and strict regulations. The Workhouse Test Act is significant for its role in shaping social policy and attitudes toward poverty in 18th-century England.

The Workhouse Test Act of 1723 solidified the workhouse as a powerful symbol of institutional poverty in British literature. Poets like Oliver Goldsmith and later Charles Dickens used this imagery to critique social injustices and advocate for reform through their poignant narratives.