If accurate, the description of British moral culture at this time sounds abhorrent. I wonder when and how it evolved to be more compassionate toward the less fortunate.
Major staples of British television nowadays appear to be eviction drama and lionizing debt collectors. My wife calls the genre "poverty porn" -- and I don't think people are watching these shows to learn more about the dire straits of their fellow citizens.
I'll go out on a limb and blame the Victorians.