Why have British businessmen and ruling circles been reluctant to take into account the interests of the workers for a long time?

There were several reasons for this:
1. the imperfect electoral system, thanks to the property qualification, prevented representatives of the lower classes from entering parliament, and it was this method of reforming society that was most effective in England.
2. the development of the colonial empire and the high profits of entrepreneurs made it possible to make minor concessions, increasing the wages of skilled workers, who were in the minority, and thereby splitting the protest movement.
3. The labor movement in England at a certain period of time was unorganized and there were no parties and associations that would represent the interests of the workers.