‘We couldn’t cope without it’
Until the mid-1990s, the couple struggled without any financial support as the carers’ allowance system had not been introduced.
During that time Margaret, who receives the half-rate allowance in addition to her non-contributory pension, baked cakes and did dress-making in order to bring in enough money for her family. The couple’s youngest child was just five weeks old at the time of John’s accident.
