diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 40e3577787..13f1b33208 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -14,6 +14,14 @@
 
 🆕 New features:
 
+- Support aria-describedby on all form fields
+
+  All form fields now support an initial `aria-describedby` value, populated before the optional hint and error message IDs are appended.
+
+  Useful when fields are described by errors or hints on parent fieldsets.
+
+  ([PR #1347](https://github.com/alphagov/govuk-frontend/pull/1347))
+
 - Pull Request Title goes here
 
   Description goes here (optional)
diff --git a/src/components/checkboxes/checkboxes.yaml b/src/components/checkboxes/checkboxes.yaml
index 5908ad7f07..aff1facee9 100644
--- a/src/components/checkboxes/checkboxes.yaml
+++ b/src/components/checkboxes/checkboxes.yaml
@@ -1,4 +1,8 @@
 params:
+- name: describedBy
+  type: string
+  required: false
+  description: One or more element IDs to add to the input `aria-describedby` attribute without a fieldset, used to provide additional descriptive information for screenreader users.
 - name: fieldset
   type: object
   required: false
@@ -241,6 +245,22 @@ examples:
         hint:
           text: Go on, you know you want to!
 
+- name: with fieldset and error message
+  data:
+    name: colours
+    errorMessage:
+      text: Please accept the terms and conditions
+    fieldset:
+      legend:
+        text: What is your nationality?
+    items:
+      - value: british
+        text: British
+      - value: irish
+        text: Irish
+      - value: other
+        text: Citizen of another country
+
 - name: with all fieldset attributes
   data:
     idPrefix: example
diff --git a/src/components/checkboxes/template.njk b/src/components/checkboxes/template.njk
index e8cdc8c9f6..9a12be65cb 100644
--- a/src/components/checkboxes/template.njk
+++ b/src/components/checkboxes/template.njk
@@ -9,7 +9,10 @@
 
 {#- a record of other elements that we need to associate with the input using
    aria-describedby – for example hints or error messages -#}
-{% set describedBy = "" %}
+{% set describedBy = params.describedBy if params.describedBy else "" %}
+{% if params.fieldset.describedBy %}
+   {% set describedBy = params.fieldset.describedBy %}
+{% endif %}
 
 {% set isConditional = false %}
 {% for item in params.items %}
diff --git a/src/components/checkboxes/template.test.js b/src/components/checkboxes/template.test.js
index a32b3a0fc2..ea900614e4 100644
--- a/src/components/checkboxes/template.test.js
+++ b/src/components/checkboxes/template.test.js
@@ -71,6 +71,30 @@ describe('Checkboxes', () => {
     expect($component.hasClass('app-checkboxes--custom-modifier')).toBeTruthy()
   })
 
+  it('renders initial aria-describedby on fieldset', () => {
+    const describedById = 'some-id'
+
+    const $ = render('checkboxes', {
+      name: 'example-name',
+      fieldset: {
+        describedBy: describedById
+      },
+      items: [
+        {
+          value: '1',
+          text: 'Option 1'
+        },
+        {
+          value: '2',
+          text: 'Option 2'
+        }
+      ]
+    })
+
+    const $fieldset = $('.govuk-fieldset')
+    expect($fieldset.attr('aria-describedby')).toMatch(describedById)
+  })
+
   it('render attributes', () => {
     const $ = render('checkboxes', {
       name: 'example-name',
@@ -521,7 +545,7 @@ describe('Checkboxes', () => {
     })
 
     it('associates the fieldset as "described by" the error message', () => {
-      const $ = render('checkboxes', examples['with all fieldset attributes'])
+      const $ = render('checkboxes', examples['with fieldset and error message'])
 
       const $fieldset = $('.govuk-fieldset')
       const $errorMessage = $('.govuk-error-message')
@@ -534,6 +558,27 @@ describe('Checkboxes', () => {
         .toMatch(errorMessageId)
     })
 
+    it('associates the fieldset as "described by" the error message and parent fieldset', () => {
+      const describedById = 'some-id'
+      const params = examples['with fieldset and error message']
+
+      params.fieldset.describedBy = describedById
+
+      const $ = render('checkboxes', params)
+
+      const $fieldset = $('.govuk-fieldset')
+      const $errorMessage = $('.govuk-error-message')
+
+      const errorMessageId = new RegExp(
+        WORD_BOUNDARY + describedById + WHITESPACE + $errorMessage.attr('id') + WORD_BOUNDARY
+      )
+
+      expect($fieldset.attr('aria-describedby'))
+        .toMatch(errorMessageId)
+
+      delete params.fieldset.describedBy
+    })
+
     it('does not associate each input as "described by" the error message', () => {
       const $ = render('checkboxes', examples['with error message and hints on items'])
 
@@ -576,6 +621,24 @@ describe('Checkboxes', () => {
 
       expect($fieldset.attr('aria-describedby')).toMatch(hintId)
     })
+
+    it('associates the fieldset as "described by" the hint and parent fieldset', () => {
+      const describedById = 'some-id'
+      const params = examples['with all fieldset attributes']
+
+      params.fieldset.describedBy = describedById
+
+      const $ = render('checkboxes', params)
+      const $fieldset = $('.govuk-fieldset')
+      const $hint = $('.govuk-hint')
+
+      const hintId = new RegExp(
+        WORD_BOUNDARY + describedById + WHITESPACE + $hint.attr('id') + WORD_BOUNDARY
+      )
+
+      expect($fieldset.attr('aria-describedby')).toMatch(hintId)
+      delete params.fieldset.describedBy
+    })
   })
 
   describe('when they include both a hint and an error message', () => {
@@ -583,15 +646,37 @@ describe('Checkboxes', () => {
       const $ = render('checkboxes', examples['with all fieldset attributes'])
 
       const $fieldset = $('.govuk-fieldset')
-      const $errorMessageId = $('.govuk-error-message').attr('id')
-      const $hintId = $('.govuk-hint').attr('id')
+      const errorMessageId = $('.govuk-error-message').attr('id')
+      const hintId = $('.govuk-hint').attr('id')
+
+      const combinedIds = new RegExp(
+        WORD_BOUNDARY + hintId + WHITESPACE + errorMessageId + WORD_BOUNDARY
+      )
+
+      expect($fieldset.attr('aria-describedby'))
+        .toMatch(combinedIds)
+    })
+
+    it('associates the fieldset as described by the hint, error message and parent fieldset', () => {
+      const describedById = 'some-id'
+      const params = examples['with all fieldset attributes']
+
+      params.fieldset.describedBy = describedById
+
+      const $ = render('checkboxes', params)
+
+      const $fieldset = $('.govuk-fieldset')
+      const errorMessageId = $('.govuk-error-message').attr('id')
+      const hintId = $('.govuk-hint').attr('id')
 
       const combinedIds = new RegExp(
-        WORD_BOUNDARY + $hintId + WHITESPACE + $errorMessageId + WORD_BOUNDARY
+        WORD_BOUNDARY + describedById + WHITESPACE + hintId + WHITESPACE + errorMessageId + WORD_BOUNDARY
       )
 
       expect($fieldset.attr('aria-describedby'))
         .toMatch(combinedIds)
+
+      delete params.fieldset.describedBy
     })
   })
 
@@ -664,6 +749,21 @@ describe('Checkboxes', () => {
       const $input = $('input')
       expect($input.attr('aria-describedby')).toMatch('t-and-c-error')
     })
+
+    it('adds aria-describedby to input if there is an error and parent fieldset', () => {
+      const describedById = 'some-id'
+      const params = examples["with single option set 'aria-describedby' on input"]
+
+      params.describedBy = describedById
+
+      const $ = render('checkboxes', params)
+      const $input = $('input')
+
+      expect($input.attr('aria-describedby'))
+        .toMatch(`${describedById} t-and-c-error`)
+
+      delete params.describedBy
+    })
   })
 
   describe('single checkbox (with hint) without a fieldset', () => {
@@ -672,5 +772,18 @@ describe('Checkboxes', () => {
       const $input = $('input')
       expect($input.attr('aria-describedby')).toMatch('t-and-c-with-hint-error t-and-c-with-hint-1-item-hint')
     })
+
+    it('adds aria-describedby to input if there is an error, hint and parent fieldset', () => {
+      const describedById = 'some-id'
+      const params = examples["with single option (and hint) set 'aria-describedby' on input"]
+
+      params.describedBy = describedById
+
+      const $ = render('checkboxes', params)
+      const $input = $('input')
+
+      expect($input.attr('aria-describedby'))
+        .toMatch(`${describedById} t-and-c-with-hint-error t-and-c-with-hint-1-item-hint`)
+    })
   })
 })
diff --git a/src/components/date-input/date-input.yaml b/src/components/date-input/date-input.yaml
index f37b4f12c9..68d8dcadd3 100644
--- a/src/components/date-input/date-input.yaml
+++ b/src/components/date-input/date-input.yaml
@@ -97,7 +97,25 @@ examples:
       -
         name: year
         classes: govuk-input--width-4
-- name: with errors
+- name: with errors only
+  data:
+    id: dob-errors
+    fieldset:
+      legend:
+        text: What is your date of birth?
+    errorMessage:
+      text: Error message goes here
+    items:
+      -
+        name: day
+        classes: govuk-input--width-2 govuk-input--error
+      -
+        name: month
+        classes: govuk-input--width-2 govuk-input--error
+      -
+        name: year
+        classes: govuk-input--width-4 govuk-input--error
+- name: with errors and hint
   data:
     id: dob-errors
     fieldset:
diff --git a/src/components/date-input/template.njk b/src/components/date-input/template.njk
index b7d4cbacea..c72b9bce88 100644
--- a/src/components/date-input/template.njk
+++ b/src/components/date-input/template.njk
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 
 {#- a record of other elements that we need to associate with the input using
    aria-describedby – for example hints or error messages -#}
-{% set describedBy = "" %}
+{% set describedBy = params.fieldset.describedBy if params.fieldset.describedBy else "" %}
 
 {% if params.items %}
   {% set dateInputItems = params.items %}
diff --git a/src/components/date-input/template.test.js b/src/components/date-input/template.test.js
index 09a8ac99b8..f14b196cbd 100644
--- a/src/components/date-input/template.test.js
+++ b/src/components/date-input/template.test.js
@@ -308,7 +308,7 @@ describe('Date input', () => {
     })
 
     it('sets the `group` role on the fieldset to force JAWS18 to announce the hint and error message', () => {
-      const $ = render('date-input', examples['with errors'])
+      const $ = render('date-input', examples['with errors and hint'])
 
       const $fieldset = $('.govuk-fieldset')
 
@@ -336,12 +336,12 @@ describe('Date input', () => {
 
   describe('when it includes a hint', () => {
     it('renders the hint', () => {
-      const $ = render('date-input', examples['with errors'])
+      const $ = render('date-input', examples['with errors and hint'])
       expect(htmlWithClassName($, '.govuk-hint')).toMatchSnapshot()
     })
 
     it('associates the fieldset as "described by" the hint', () => {
-      const $ = render('date-input', examples['with errors'])
+      const $ = render('date-input', examples['with errors and hint'])
 
       const $fieldset = $('.govuk-fieldset')
       const $hint = $('.govuk-hint')
@@ -353,16 +353,37 @@ describe('Date input', () => {
       expect($fieldset.attr('aria-describedby'))
         .toMatch(hintId)
     })
+
+    it('associates the fieldset as "described by" the hint and parent fieldset', () => {
+      const describedById = 'some-id'
+      const params = examples['with errors and hint']
+
+      params.fieldset.describedBy = describedById
+
+      const $ = render('date-input', params)
+
+      const $fieldset = $('.govuk-fieldset')
+      const $hint = $('.govuk-hint')
+
+      const hintId = new RegExp(
+        WORD_BOUNDARY + describedById + WHITESPACE + $hint.attr('id') + WORD_BOUNDARY
+      )
+
+      expect($fieldset.attr('aria-describedby'))
+        .toMatch(hintId)
+
+      delete params.fieldset.describedBy
+    })
   })
 
   describe('when it includes an error message', () => {
     it('renders the error message', () => {
-      const $ = render('date-input', examples['with errors'])
+      const $ = render('date-input', examples['with errors only'])
       expect(htmlWithClassName($, '.govuk-error-message')).toMatchSnapshot()
     })
 
     it('uses the id as a prefix for the error message id', () => {
-      const $ = render('date-input', examples['with errors'])
+      const $ = render('date-input', examples['with errors only'])
 
       const $errorMessage = $('.govuk-error-message')
 
@@ -370,7 +391,7 @@ describe('Date input', () => {
     })
 
     it('associates the fieldset as "described by" the error message', () => {
-      const $ = render('date-input', examples['with errors'])
+      const $ = render('date-input', examples['with errors only'])
 
       const $fieldset = $('.govuk-fieldset')
       const $errorMessage = $('.govuk-error-message')
@@ -383,6 +404,27 @@ describe('Date input', () => {
         .toMatch(errorMessageId)
     })
 
+    it('associates the fieldset as "described by" the error message and parent fieldset', () => {
+      const describedById = 'some-id'
+      const params = examples['with errors only']
+
+      params.fieldset.describedBy = describedById
+
+      const $ = render('date-input', params)
+
+      const $fieldset = $('.govuk-fieldset')
+      const $errorMessage = $('.govuk-error-message')
+
+      const errorMessageId = new RegExp(
+        WORD_BOUNDARY + describedById + WHITESPACE + $errorMessage.attr('id') + WORD_BOUNDARY
+      )
+
+      expect($fieldset.attr('aria-describedby'))
+        .toMatch(errorMessageId)
+
+      delete params.fieldset.describedBy
+    })
+
     it('renders with a form group wrapper that has an error state', () => {
       const $ = render('date-input', {
         errorMessage: {
@@ -397,14 +439,34 @@ describe('Date input', () => {
 
   describe('when they include both a hint and an error message', () => {
     it('associates the fieldset as described by both the hint and the error message', () => {
-      const $ = render('date-input', examples['with errors'])
+      const $ = render('date-input', examples['with errors and hint'])
+
+      const $fieldset = $('.govuk-fieldset')
+      const errorMessageId = $('.govuk-error-message').attr('id')
+      const hintId = $('.govuk-hint').attr('id')
+
+      const combinedIds = new RegExp(
+        WORD_BOUNDARY + hintId + WHITESPACE + errorMessageId + WORD_BOUNDARY
+      )
+
+      expect($fieldset.attr('aria-describedby'))
+        .toMatch(combinedIds)
+    })
+
+    it('associates the fieldset as described by the hint, error message and parent fieldset', () => {
+      const describedById = 'some-id'
+      const params = examples['with errors and hint']
+
+      params.fieldset.describedBy = describedById
+
+      const $ = render('date-input', params)
 
       const $fieldset = $('.govuk-fieldset')
-      const $errorMessageId = $('.govuk-error-message').attr('id')
-      const $hintId = $('.govuk-hint').attr('id')
+      const errorMessageId = $('.govuk-error-message').attr('id')
+      const hintId = $('.govuk-hint').attr('id')
 
       const combinedIds = new RegExp(
-        WORD_BOUNDARY + $hintId + WHITESPACE + $errorMessageId + WORD_BOUNDARY
+        WORD_BOUNDARY + describedById + WHITESPACE + hintId + WHITESPACE + errorMessageId + WORD_BOUNDARY
       )
 
       expect($fieldset.attr('aria-describedby'))
diff --git a/src/components/fieldset/fieldset.yaml b/src/components/fieldset/fieldset.yaml
index 22f28a722d..fa4fa249c1 100644
--- a/src/components/fieldset/fieldset.yaml
+++ b/src/components/fieldset/fieldset.yaml
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ params:
 - name: describedBy
   type: string
   required: false
-  description: Text or element id to add to the `aria-describedby` attribute to provide description of the group of fields for screenreader users.
+  description: One or more element IDs to add to the `aria-describedby` attribute, used to provide additional descriptive information for screenreader users.
 - name: legend
   type: object
   required: false
diff --git a/src/components/fieldset/template.test.js b/src/components/fieldset/template.test.js
index 7c6ee6096d..1c647abf38 100644
--- a/src/components/fieldset/template.test.js
+++ b/src/components/fieldset/template.test.js
@@ -61,6 +61,15 @@ describe('fieldset', () => {
     expect($legend.text().trim()).toEqual('What is your address?')
   })
 
+  it('allows you to set the aria-describedby attribute', () => {
+    const $ = render('fieldset', {
+      describedBy: 'some-id'
+    })
+
+    const $component = $('.govuk-fieldset')
+    expect($component.attr('aria-describedby')).toEqual('some-id')
+  })
+
   it('escapes HTML in the text argument', () => {
     const $ = render('fieldset', {
       legend: {
diff --git a/src/components/file-upload/file-upload.yaml b/src/components/file-upload/file-upload.yaml
index 51d2d346f0..713db75d34 100644
--- a/src/components/file-upload/file-upload.yaml
+++ b/src/components/file-upload/file-upload.yaml
@@ -11,6 +11,10 @@ params:
   type: string
   required: false
   description: Optional initial value of the input
+- name: describedBy
+  type: string
+  required: false
+  description: One or more element IDs to add to the `aria-describedby` attribute, used to provide additional descriptive information for screenreader users.
 - name: label
   type: object
   required: true
diff --git a/src/components/file-upload/template.njk b/src/components/file-upload/template.njk
index 9dbd9bf9be..afc0fa9e12 100644
--- a/src/components/file-upload/template.njk
+++ b/src/components/file-upload/template.njk
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 
 {#- a record of other elements that we need to associate with the input using
    aria-describedby – for example hints or error messages -#}
-{% set describedBy = "" %}
+{% set describedBy = params.describedBy if params.describedBy else "" %}
 <div class="govuk-form-group {%- if params.errorMessage %} govuk-form-group--error{% endif %} {%- if params.formGroup.classes %} {{ params.formGroup.classes }}{% endif %}">
   {{ govukLabel({
     html: params.label.html,
diff --git a/src/components/file-upload/template.test.js b/src/components/file-upload/template.test.js
index ac3b2c0546..337da46a49 100644
--- a/src/components/file-upload/template.test.js
+++ b/src/components/file-upload/template.test.js
@@ -57,6 +57,17 @@ describe('File upload', () => {
       expect($component.val()).toEqual('C:/fakepath')
     })
 
+    it('renders with aria-describedby', () => {
+      const describedById = 'some-id'
+
+      const $ = render('file-upload', {
+        describedBy: describedById
+      })
+
+      const $component = $('.govuk-file-upload')
+      expect($component.attr('aria-describedby')).toMatch(describedById)
+    })
+
     it('renders with attributes', () => {
       const $ = render('file-upload', {
         attributes: {
@@ -117,6 +128,28 @@ describe('File upload', () => {
       expect($component.attr('aria-describedby'))
         .toMatch(hintId)
     })
+
+    it('associates the input as "described by" the hint and parent fieldset', () => {
+      const describedById = 'some-id'
+
+      const $ = render('file-upload', {
+        id: 'file-upload-with-hint',
+        describedBy: describedById,
+        hint: {
+          text: 'Your photo may be in your Pictures, Photos, Downloads or Desktop folder. Or in an app like iPhoto.'
+        }
+      })
+
+      const $component = $('.govuk-file-upload')
+      const $hint = $('.govuk-hint')
+
+      const hintId = new RegExp(
+        WORD_BOUNDARY + describedById + WHITESPACE + $hint.attr('id') + WORD_BOUNDARY
+      )
+
+      expect($component.attr('aria-describedby'))
+        .toMatch(hintId)
+    })
   })
 
   describe('when it includes an error message', () => {
@@ -150,6 +183,28 @@ describe('File upload', () => {
         .toMatch(errorMessageId)
     })
 
+    it('associates the input as "described by" the error message and parent fieldset', () => {
+      const describedById = 'some-id'
+
+      const $ = render('file-upload', {
+        id: 'input-with-error',
+        describedBy: describedById,
+        errorMessage: {
+          'text': 'Error message'
+        }
+      })
+
+      const $component = $('.govuk-file-upload')
+      const $errorMessage = $('.govuk-error-message')
+
+      const errorMessageId = new RegExp(
+        WORD_BOUNDARY + describedById + WHITESPACE + $errorMessage.attr('id') + WORD_BOUNDARY
+      )
+
+      expect($component.attr('aria-describedby'))
+        .toMatch(errorMessageId)
+    })
+
     it('includes the error class on the component', () => {
       const $ = render('file-upload', {
         errorMessage: {
@@ -186,11 +241,37 @@ describe('File upload', () => {
       })
 
       const $component = $('.govuk-file-upload')
-      const $errorMessageId = $('.govuk-error-message').attr('id')
-      const $hintId = $('.govuk-hint').attr('id')
+      const errorMessageId = $('.govuk-error-message').attr('id')
+      const hintId = $('.govuk-hint').attr('id')
+
+      const combinedIds = new RegExp(
+        WORD_BOUNDARY + hintId + WHITESPACE + errorMessageId + WORD_BOUNDARY
+      )
+
+      expect($component.attr('aria-describedby'))
+        .toMatch(combinedIds)
+    })
+
+    it('associates the input as described by the hint, error message and parent fieldset', () => {
+      const describedById = 'some-id'
+
+      const $ = render('file-upload', {
+        id: 'input-with-error',
+        describedBy: describedById,
+        errorMessage: {
+          'text': 'Error message'
+        },
+        hint: {
+          'text': 'Hint'
+        }
+      })
+
+      const $component = $('.govuk-file-upload')
+      const errorMessageId = $('.govuk-error-message').attr('id')
+      const hintId = $('.govuk-hint').attr('id')
 
       const combinedIds = new RegExp(
-        WORD_BOUNDARY + $hintId + WHITESPACE + $errorMessageId + WORD_BOUNDARY
+        WORD_BOUNDARY + describedById + WHITESPACE + hintId + WHITESPACE + errorMessageId + WORD_BOUNDARY
       )
 
       expect($component.attr('aria-describedby'))
diff --git a/src/components/input/input.yaml b/src/components/input/input.yaml
index 41f9f1e9f4..a9b15f151c 100644
--- a/src/components/input/input.yaml
+++ b/src/components/input/input.yaml
@@ -15,6 +15,10 @@ params:
   type: string
   required: false
   description: Optional initial value of the input.
+- name: describedBy
+  type: string
+  required: false
+  description: One or more element IDs to add to the `aria-describedby` attribute, used to provide additional descriptive information for screenreader users.
 - name: label
   type: object
   required: true
diff --git a/src/components/input/template.njk b/src/components/input/template.njk
index 9245ffab40..95cbd9aa87 100644
--- a/src/components/input/template.njk
+++ b/src/components/input/template.njk
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 
 {#- a record of other elements that we need to associate with the input using
    aria-describedby – for example hints or error messages -#}
-{% set describedBy = "" %}
+{% set describedBy = params.describedBy if params.describedBy else "" %}
 <div class="govuk-form-group {%- if params.errorMessage %} govuk-form-group--error{% endif %} {%- if params.formGroup.classes %} {{ params.formGroup.classes }}{% endif %}">
   {{ govukLabel({
     html: params.label.html,
diff --git a/src/components/input/template.test.js b/src/components/input/template.test.js
index 1a0469f687..8382cfa3d5 100644
--- a/src/components/input/template.test.js
+++ b/src/components/input/template.test.js
@@ -73,6 +73,17 @@ describe('Input', () => {
       expect($component.val()).toEqual('QQ 12 34 56 C')
     })
 
+    it('renders with aria-describedby', () => {
+      const describedById = 'some-id'
+
+      const $ = render('input', {
+        describedBy: describedById
+      })
+
+      const $component = $('.govuk-input')
+      expect($component.attr('aria-describedby')).toMatch(describedById)
+    })
+
     it('renders with attributes', () => {
       const $ = render('input', {
         attributes: {
@@ -133,6 +144,28 @@ describe('Input', () => {
       expect($input.attr('aria-describedby'))
         .toMatch(hintId)
     })
+
+    it('associates the input as "described by" the hint and parent fieldset', () => {
+      const describedById = 'some-id'
+
+      const $ = render('input', {
+        id: 'input-with-hint',
+        describedBy: describedById,
+        hint: {
+          text: 'It’s on your National Insurance card, benefit letter, payslip or P60. For example, ‘QQ 12 34 56 C’.'
+        }
+      })
+
+      const $input = $('.govuk-input')
+      const $hint = $('.govuk-hint')
+
+      const hintId = new RegExp(
+        WORD_BOUNDARY + describedById + WHITESPACE + $hint.attr('id') + WORD_BOUNDARY
+      )
+
+      expect($input.attr('aria-describedby'))
+        .toMatch(hintId)
+    })
   })
 
   describe('when it includes an error message', () => {
@@ -166,6 +199,28 @@ describe('Input', () => {
         .toMatch(errorMessageId)
     })
 
+    it('associates the input as "described by" the error message and parent fieldset', () => {
+      const describedById = 'some-id'
+
+      const $ = render('input', {
+        id: 'input-with-error',
+        describedBy: describedById,
+        errorMessage: {
+          text: 'Error message'
+        }
+      })
+
+      const $input = $('.govuk-input')
+      const $errorMessage = $('.govuk-error-message')
+
+      const errorMessageId = new RegExp(
+        WORD_BOUNDARY + describedById + WHITESPACE + $errorMessage.attr('id') + WORD_BOUNDARY
+      )
+
+      expect($input.attr('aria-describedby'))
+        .toMatch(errorMessageId)
+    })
+
     it('includes the error class on the input', () => {
       const $ = render('input', {
         errorMessage: {
@@ -201,11 +256,36 @@ describe('Input', () => {
       })
 
       const $component = $('.govuk-input')
-      const $errorMessageId = $('.govuk-error-message').attr('id')
-      const $hintId = $('.govuk-hint').attr('id')
+      const errorMessageId = $('.govuk-error-message').attr('id')
+      const hintId = $('.govuk-hint').attr('id')
+
+      const combinedIds = new RegExp(
+        WORD_BOUNDARY + hintId + WHITESPACE + errorMessageId + WORD_BOUNDARY
+      )
+
+      expect($component.attr('aria-describedby'))
+        .toMatch(combinedIds)
+    })
+
+    it('associates the input as described by the hint, error message and parent fieldset', () => {
+      const describedById = 'some-id'
+
+      const $ = render('input', {
+        describedBy: describedById,
+        errorMessage: {
+          text: 'Error message'
+        },
+        hint: {
+          text: 'Hint'
+        }
+      })
+
+      const $component = $('.govuk-input')
+      const errorMessageId = $('.govuk-error-message').attr('id')
+      const hintId = $('.govuk-hint').attr('id')
 
       const combinedIds = new RegExp(
-        WORD_BOUNDARY + $hintId + WHITESPACE + $errorMessageId + WORD_BOUNDARY
+        WORD_BOUNDARY + describedById + WHITESPACE + hintId + WHITESPACE + errorMessageId + WORD_BOUNDARY
       )
 
       expect($component.attr('aria-describedby'))
diff --git a/src/components/radios/radios.yaml b/src/components/radios/radios.yaml
index f001ef2830..02ea3765ee 100644
--- a/src/components/radios/radios.yaml
+++ b/src/components/radios/radios.yaml
@@ -242,6 +242,22 @@ examples:
       - value: blue
         text: Blue
 
+- name: with fieldset and error message
+  data:
+    idPrefix: example
+    name: example
+    errorMessage:
+      text: Please select an option
+    fieldset:
+      legend:
+        text: Have you changed your name?
+    items:
+      - value: yes
+        text: Yes
+      - value: no
+        text: No
+        checked: true
+
 - name: with all fieldset attributes
   data:
     idPrefix: example
diff --git a/src/components/radios/template.njk b/src/components/radios/template.njk
index 176a61bc4e..5ef8b832c1 100644
--- a/src/components/radios/template.njk
+++ b/src/components/radios/template.njk
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
 
 {#- a record of other elements that we need to associate with the input using
    aria-describedby – for example hints or error messages -#}
-{% set describedBy = "" %}
+{% set describedBy = params.fieldset.describedBy if params.fieldset.describedBy else "" %}
 
 {% set isConditional = false %}
 {% for item in params.items %}
diff --git a/src/components/radios/template.test.js b/src/components/radios/template.test.js
index 8cf313475d..45962c9921 100644
--- a/src/components/radios/template.test.js
+++ b/src/components/radios/template.test.js
@@ -71,6 +71,30 @@ describe('Radios', () => {
     expect($component.hasClass('app-radios--custom-modifier')).toBeTruthy()
   })
 
+  it('renders initial aria-describedby on fieldset', () => {
+    const describedById = 'some-id'
+
+    const $ = render('radios', {
+      name: 'example-name',
+      fieldset: {
+        describedBy: describedById
+      },
+      items: [
+        {
+          value: 'yes',
+          text: 'Yes'
+        },
+        {
+          value: 'no',
+          text: 'No'
+        }
+      ]
+    })
+
+    const $fieldset = $('.govuk-fieldset')
+    expect($fieldset.attr('aria-describedby')).toMatch(describedById)
+  })
+
   it('render attributes', () => {
     const $ = render('radios', {
       name: 'example-name',
@@ -462,6 +486,24 @@ describe('Radios', () => {
 
       expect($fieldset.attr('aria-describedby')).toMatch(hintId)
     })
+
+    it('associates the fieldset as "described by" the hint and parent fieldset', () => {
+      const describedById = 'some-id'
+      const params = examples['with all fieldset attributes']
+
+      params.fieldset.describedBy = describedById
+
+      const $ = render('radios', params)
+      const $fieldset = $('.govuk-fieldset')
+      const $hint = $('.govuk-hint')
+
+      const hintId = new RegExp(
+        WORD_BOUNDARY + describedById + WHITESPACE + $hint.attr('id') + WORD_BOUNDARY
+      )
+
+      expect($fieldset.attr('aria-describedby')).toMatch(hintId)
+      delete params.fieldset.describedBy
+    })
   })
 
   describe('when they include an error message', () => {
@@ -510,7 +552,7 @@ describe('Radios', () => {
     })
 
     it('associates the fieldset as "described by" the error message', () => {
-      const $ = render('radios', examples['with all fieldset attributes'])
+      const $ = render('radios', examples['with fieldset and error message'])
 
       const $fieldset = $('.govuk-fieldset')
       const $errorMessage = $('.govuk-error-message')
@@ -523,6 +565,27 @@ describe('Radios', () => {
         .toMatch(errorMessageId)
     })
 
+    it('associates the fieldset as "described by" the error message and parent fieldset', () => {
+      const describedById = 'some-id'
+      const params = examples['with fieldset and error message']
+
+      params.fieldset.describedBy = describedById
+
+      const $ = render('radios', params)
+
+      const $fieldset = $('.govuk-fieldset')
+      const $errorMessage = $('.govuk-error-message')
+
+      const errorMessageId = new RegExp(
+        WORD_BOUNDARY + describedById + WHITESPACE + $errorMessage.attr('id') + WORD_BOUNDARY
+      )
+
+      expect($fieldset.attr('aria-describedby'))
+        .toMatch(errorMessageId)
+
+      delete params.fieldset.describedBy
+    })
+
     it('renders with a form group wrapper that has an error state', () => {
       const $ = render('radios', {
         errorMessage: {
@@ -540,15 +603,37 @@ describe('Radios', () => {
       const $ = render('radios', examples['with all fieldset attributes'])
 
       const $fieldset = $('.govuk-fieldset')
-      const $errorMessageId = $('.govuk-error-message').attr('id')
-      const $hintId = $('.govuk-hint').attr('id')
+      const errorMessageId = $('.govuk-error-message').attr('id')
+      const hintId = $('.govuk-hint').attr('id')
+
+      const combinedIds = new RegExp(
+        WORD_BOUNDARY + hintId + WHITESPACE + errorMessageId + WORD_BOUNDARY
+      )
+
+      expect($fieldset.attr('aria-describedby'))
+        .toMatch(combinedIds)
+    })
+
+    it('associates the fieldset as described by the hint, error message and parent fieldset', () => {
+      const describedById = 'some-id'
+      const params = examples['with all fieldset attributes']
+
+      params.fieldset.describedBy = describedById
+
+      const $ = render('radios', params)
+
+      const $fieldset = $('.govuk-fieldset')
+      const errorMessageId = $('.govuk-error-message').attr('id')
+      const hintId = $('.govuk-hint').attr('id')
 
       const combinedIds = new RegExp(
-        WORD_BOUNDARY + $hintId + WHITESPACE + $errorMessageId + WORD_BOUNDARY
+        WORD_BOUNDARY + describedById + WHITESPACE + hintId + WHITESPACE + errorMessageId + WORD_BOUNDARY
       )
 
       expect($fieldset.attr('aria-describedby'))
         .toMatch(combinedIds)
+
+      delete params.fieldset.describedBy
     })
   })
 
diff --git a/src/components/select/select.yaml b/src/components/select/select.yaml
index d539cc2a6d..d4298a0a02 100644
--- a/src/components/select/select.yaml
+++ b/src/components/select/select.yaml
@@ -32,6 +32,10 @@ params:
     type: object
     required: false
     description: HTML attributes (for example data attributes) to add to the option.
+- name: describedBy
+  type: string
+  required: false
+  description: One or more element IDs to add to the `aria-describedby` attribute, used to provide additional descriptive information for screenreader users.
 - name: label
   type: object
   required: false
diff --git a/src/components/select/template.njk b/src/components/select/template.njk
index bffc5ec137..10c919278f 100644
--- a/src/components/select/template.njk
+++ b/src/components/select/template.njk
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 
 {#- a record of other elements that we need to associate with the input using
    aria-describedby – for example hints or error messages -#}
-{% set describedBy = "" %}
+{% set describedBy = params.describedBy if params.describedBy else "" %}
 <div class="govuk-form-group {%- if params.errorMessage %} govuk-form-group--error{% endif %} {%- if params.formGroup.classes %} {{ params.formGroup.classes }}{% endif %}">
   {{ govukLabel({
     html: params.label.html,
diff --git a/src/components/select/template.test.js b/src/components/select/template.test.js
index 7ac482722a..97baff4f12 100644
--- a/src/components/select/template.test.js
+++ b/src/components/select/template.test.js
@@ -135,6 +135,17 @@ describe('Select', () => {
       expect($firstItem.attr('disabled')).toBeTruthy()
     })
 
+    it('renders with aria-describedby', () => {
+      const describedById = 'some-id'
+
+      const $ = render('select', {
+        describedBy: describedById
+      })
+
+      const $component = $('.govuk-select')
+      expect($component.attr('aria-describedby')).toMatch(describedById)
+    })
+
     it('renders with attributes', () => {
       const $ = render('select', {
         attributes: {
@@ -229,6 +240,28 @@ describe('Select', () => {
       expect($select.attr('aria-describedby'))
         .toMatch(hintId)
     })
+
+    it('associates the select as "described by" the hint and parent fieldset', () => {
+      const describedById = 'some-id'
+
+      const $ = render('select', {
+        id: 'select-with-hint',
+        describedBy: describedById,
+        hint: {
+          'text': 'Hint text goes here'
+        }
+      })
+
+      const $select = $('.govuk-select')
+      const $hint = $('.govuk-hint')
+
+      const hintId = new RegExp(
+        WORD_BOUNDARY + describedById + WHITESPACE + $hint.attr('id') + WORD_BOUNDARY
+      )
+
+      expect($select.attr('aria-describedby'))
+        .toMatch(hintId)
+    })
   })
 
   describe('when it includes an error message', () => {
@@ -262,6 +295,28 @@ describe('Select', () => {
         .toMatch(errorMessageId)
     })
 
+    it('associates the select as "described by" the error message and parent fieldset', () => {
+      const describedById = 'some-id'
+
+      const $ = render('select', {
+        id: 'select-with-error',
+        describedBy: describedById,
+        errorMessage: {
+          'text': 'Error message'
+        }
+      })
+
+      const $input = $('.govuk-select')
+      const $errorMessage = $('.govuk-error-message')
+
+      const errorMessageId = new RegExp(
+        WORD_BOUNDARY + describedById + WHITESPACE + $errorMessage.attr('id') + WORD_BOUNDARY
+      )
+
+      expect($input.attr('aria-describedby'))
+        .toMatch(errorMessageId)
+    })
+
     it('adds the error class to the select', () => {
       const $ = render('select', {
         errorMessage: {
@@ -297,11 +352,36 @@ describe('Select', () => {
       })
 
       const $component = $('.govuk-select')
-      const $errorMessageId = $('.govuk-error-message').attr('id')
-      const $hintId = $('.govuk-hint').attr('id')
+      const errorMessageId = $('.govuk-error-message').attr('id')
+      const hintId = $('.govuk-hint').attr('id')
+
+      const combinedIds = new RegExp(
+        WORD_BOUNDARY + hintId + WHITESPACE + errorMessageId + WORD_BOUNDARY
+      )
+
+      expect($component.attr('aria-describedby'))
+        .toMatch(combinedIds)
+    })
+
+    it('associates the select as described by the hint, error message and parent fieldset', () => {
+      const describedById = 'some-id'
+
+      const $ = render('select', {
+        describedBy: describedById,
+        errorMessage: {
+          text: 'Error message'
+        },
+        hint: {
+          text: 'Hint'
+        }
+      })
+
+      const $component = $('.govuk-select')
+      const errorMessageId = $('.govuk-error-message').attr('id')
+      const hintId = $('.govuk-hint').attr('id')
 
       const combinedIds = new RegExp(
-        WORD_BOUNDARY + $hintId + WHITESPACE + $errorMessageId + WORD_BOUNDARY
+        WORD_BOUNDARY + describedById + WHITESPACE + hintId + WHITESPACE + errorMessageId + WORD_BOUNDARY
       )
 
       expect($component.attr('aria-describedby'))
diff --git a/src/components/textarea/template.njk b/src/components/textarea/template.njk
index 47cd4d45bb..56d9cc3333 100644
--- a/src/components/textarea/template.njk
+++ b/src/components/textarea/template.njk
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 
 {#- a record of other elements that we need to associate with the input using
    aria-describedby – for example hints or error messages -#}
-{% set describedBy = "" %}
+{% set describedBy = params.describedBy if params.describedBy else "" %}
 <div class="govuk-form-group {%- if params.errorMessage %} govuk-form-group--error{% endif %} {%- if params.formGroup.classes %} {{ params.formGroup.classes }}{% endif %}">
   {{ govukLabel({
     html: params.label.html,
diff --git a/src/components/textarea/template.test.js b/src/components/textarea/template.test.js
index 2f2747b574..7fe58fd4d5 100644
--- a/src/components/textarea/template.test.js
+++ b/src/components/textarea/template.test.js
@@ -48,6 +48,17 @@ describe('Textarea', () => {
       expect($component.attr('name')).toEqual('my-textarea-name')
     })
 
+    it('renders with aria-describedby', () => {
+      const describedById = 'some-id'
+
+      const $ = render('textarea', {
+        describedBy: describedById
+      })
+
+      const $component = $('.govuk-textarea')
+      expect($component.attr('aria-describedby')).toMatch(describedById)
+    })
+
     it('renders with rows', () => {
       const $ = render('textarea', {
         rows: '4'
@@ -122,6 +133,28 @@ describe('Textarea', () => {
       expect($textarea.attr('aria-describedby'))
         .toMatch(hintId)
     })
+
+    it('associates the textarea as "described by" the hint and parent fieldset', () => {
+      const describedById = 'some-id'
+
+      const $ = render('textarea', {
+        id: 'textarea-with-error',
+        describedBy: describedById,
+        hint: {
+          'text': 'It’s on your National Insurance card, benefit letter, payslip or P60. For example, ‘QQ 12 34 56 C’.'
+        }
+      })
+
+      const $textarea = $('.govuk-textarea')
+      const $hint = $('.govuk-hint')
+
+      const hintId = new RegExp(
+        WORD_BOUNDARY + describedById + WHITESPACE + $hint.attr('id') + WORD_BOUNDARY
+      )
+
+      expect($textarea.attr('aria-describedby'))
+        .toMatch(hintId)
+    })
   })
 
   describe('when it includes an error message', () => {
@@ -155,6 +188,28 @@ describe('Textarea', () => {
         .toMatch(errorMessageId)
     })
 
+    it('associates the textarea as "described by" the error message and parent fieldset', () => {
+      const describedById = 'some-id'
+
+      const $ = render('textarea', {
+        id: 'textarea-with-error',
+        describedBy: describedById,
+        errorMessage: {
+          'text': 'Error message'
+        }
+      })
+
+      const $component = $('.govuk-textarea')
+      const $errorMessage = $('.govuk-error-message')
+
+      const errorMessageId = new RegExp(
+        WORD_BOUNDARY + describedById + WHITESPACE + $errorMessage.attr('id') + WORD_BOUNDARY
+      )
+
+      expect($component.attr('aria-describedby'))
+        .toMatch(errorMessageId)
+    })
+
     it('adds the error class to the textarea', () => {
       const $ = render('textarea', {
         errorMessage: {
@@ -201,11 +256,36 @@ describe('Textarea', () => {
       })
 
       const $component = $('.govuk-textarea')
-      const $errorMessageId = $('.govuk-error-message').attr('id')
-      const $hintId = $('.govuk-hint').attr('id')
+      const errorMessageId = $('.govuk-error-message').attr('id')
+      const hintId = $('.govuk-hint').attr('id')
+
+      const combinedIds = new RegExp(
+        WORD_BOUNDARY + hintId + WHITESPACE + errorMessageId + WORD_BOUNDARY
+      )
+
+      expect($component.attr('aria-describedby'))
+        .toMatch(combinedIds)
+    })
+
+    it('associates the textarea as described by the hint, error message and parent fieldset', () => {
+      const describedById = 'some-id'
+
+      const $ = render('textarea', {
+        describedBy: describedById,
+        errorMessage: {
+          'text': 'Error message'
+        },
+        hint: {
+          'text': 'Hint'
+        }
+      })
+
+      const $component = $('.govuk-textarea')
+      const errorMessageId = $('.govuk-error-message').attr('id')
+      const hintId = $('.govuk-hint').attr('id')
 
       const combinedIds = new RegExp(
-        WORD_BOUNDARY + $hintId + WHITESPACE + $errorMessageId + WORD_BOUNDARY
+        WORD_BOUNDARY + describedById + WHITESPACE + hintId + WHITESPACE + errorMessageId + WORD_BOUNDARY
       )
 
       expect($component.attr('aria-describedby'))
diff --git a/src/components/textarea/textarea.yaml b/src/components/textarea/textarea.yaml
index a90aa3dcbd..6f3c950a7f 100644
--- a/src/components/textarea/textarea.yaml
+++ b/src/components/textarea/textarea.yaml
@@ -15,6 +15,10 @@ params:
   type: string
   required: false
   description: Optional initial value of the textarea.
+- name: describedBy
+  type: string
+  required: false
+  description: One or more element IDs to add to the `aria-describedby` attribute, used to provide additional descriptive information for screenreader users.
 - name: label
   type: object
   required: true