The Government has backed down on plans to abolish Attendance Allowance (AA).
Attendance Allowance is a benefit payable to people over the age of 65 who have care needs, including difficulties with every day tasks such as dressing and washing. Thanks to Attendance Allowance, older people with conditions like arthritis can pay for cleaners or someone to help with the shopping. It goes towards extra heating, or running a car. The Government’s plans saw this benefit come under threat with the most vulnerable in our society at risk of losing a quality of life that Attendance Allowance helps to provide.
In March last year, UNISON West Sussex urged members to sign the 38 Degrees Petition to save Attendance Allowance. The campaign Don’t Abolish Attendance Allowance has recently updated members who signed the petition with news that Communities Secretary Sajid Javid announced the U-turn at the Local Government Association (LGA) councillors’ forum on 19th January 2017. He confirmed that Attendance Allowance will not be included in the proposed business rate reforms.
For further details, visit the 38 Degrees campaign page:
Don’t Abolish Attendance Allowance.
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