The Scottish Government has pledged £750,000 to support a group
of veterans’ charities.
The Unforgotten Forces consortium, which is made up of 16
separate charities, will receive £250,000 each year for the next
three years to help with their work.
The consortium, which is led by Poppyscotland and focuses on
improving the health, wellbeing and quality of life for veterans
aged 65 and older, was previously supported by the UK Government.
However, existing funding arrangements are due to cease at the
end of June 2020.
Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans has now agreed to provide
the three year funding package to support the consortium.
In addition, he is writing to HM Treasury to request the UK
Government makes a substantial contribution to the consortium to
enable the continuation of its work.
Mr Dey said: “The work that these charities are doing for
Scotland’s community of older veterans is having a remarkable and
positive impact. As Minister for Veterans I have great admiration
for them.
“In recognition of their efforts, the Scottish Government is
providing £750,000 of funding so that they can continue to
support our older veterans for a further three years.
“I am also calling on the UK Government to meet their
responsibilities to veterans in Scotland by joining with us in
providing further substantial funding to the Unforgotten Forces
consortium.”
Poppyscotland Chief Executive Mark Bibbey said: “This new
commitment from the Scottish Government will go a considerable
way to ensuring our older veterans receive the support they
desperately need in the years ahead and on behalf of the partner
organisations I thank them for this generous award.
“Unforgotten Forces would not have come about without substantial
funding from HM Treasury’s Aged Veteran Fund and it is our
sincere hope that the ongoing discussions with the UK Government
will result in the future of the consortium being secured.”
Background
The Unforgotten Forces consortium is funded by a grant from the
Ministry of Defence Aged Veterans Fund which came about as a
result of money being allocated by HM Treasury from fines levied
on the banking industry for manipulating the LIBOR rate.
The consortium received confirmation in March 2017 that they
would receive £4m of funding commencing in July 2017 and due to
end in June 2020.
Services they support include free taxi journeys for older
veterans for essential travel, financial support for basic
household goods and mobility equipment, a confidential advice
line and help for those suffering from social isolation.
For further information on the Unforgotten Forces consortium
please visit www.poppyscotland.org.uk/get-help/unforgotten-forces
