1971-1972

Introduction of Attendance Allowance (AA) and lower rate.

What: In response to a survey carried out by the Office for Population and Census Surveys in 1968 that found 3 million disabled people in poverty due to the extra costs of disability, the Labour government of the time introduced a policy that was then picked up by the incoming Conservative government.  This provided a cash benefit for those in need of ‘attention and supervision day and night’ to help contribute to the costs of disability. In 1972, A lower rate was introduced to AA for people who needed help in the day or night.

Why significant: This benefit structure was to endure for the next 20 years until the introduction of the Disability Living Allowance in 1992.