Tens of millions of pounds of lifeline funding has been fast-tracked to charities by the Scottish Government since the start of the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis – despite delays in clarity over Barnett consequentials, Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell has said.
Highlighting the key role the third sector has played in delivering vital support during the pandemic, Ms Campbell urged the UK Government to be clear in its support for vital services, by indicating when a £10 million shortfall in funding would be resolved.
In April, £35 million of consequentials was earmarked for the Scottish Government in respect of charity support direct grants, but this was later amended by the Treasury to £25 million.
Ms Campbell said: “Charities and third sector organisations have worked tirelessly throughout the COVID-19 crisis to ensure food, essential supplies and other vital services reach those most in need in our communities, as donation streams and other funding routes dried up overnight.
“Now more than ever these organisations deserve clarity.
“Had we not acted quickly at the start of the crisis to ensure tens of millions in funding reached the frontline, many organisations would not have been able to provide the level of service they have delivered in communities across Scotland, and that would have been hugely damaging to the people who rely on them.
“The Finance Secretary has already written to the UK Government seeking clarity on this funding (below). A fortnight on and we are still in the dark over this £10 million shortfall, undermining the Scottish budget at a critical time.”
Finance Secretary Kate Forbes wrote to the UK Chief Secretary to the Treasury Stephen Barclay on 22 May to raise the Scottish Government’s concerns (above).
Charities across Scotland receive funding from the Scottish Government, directly and via local authorities, through a £350 million package of emergency funding to help those most affected by the coronavirus pandemic, including:
the £50m Wellbeing Fund
the £40m Supporting Communities Fund
the £25m Third Sector Resilience Fund
Charities with property overheads can apply for the £10,000 Small Business Grant Scheme, expected to result in an additional £31 million in support.
An additional £611,000 is being distributed to support voluntary organisations helping vulnerable and disadvantaged young people and their families across Edinburgh – but the funding announcement will still bring bad news for some city projects.
The decision was unanimously approved at the Policy and Sustainability Committee yesterday.
The groups, which include youth projects, children’s clubs, mental health charities and BAME groups, are being funded by the third party grant programme run by the Communities and Families service of the City of Edinburgh Council.
The extra money means this year’s annual grants will total nearly £4m. Initial funding of £3.37m was proposed at the Education, Children and Families Committee in March 2020 but was put on hold after deputations from community groups.
A short life working group was set up to review the grants process and report back this month. The conclusions it reached included agreeing the previous recommendations and restoring funding to groups in the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) 1 and 2 areas of the Capital and BAME organisations.
Although 80% of the recommended awards were being distributed to organisations tackling poverty, the integrated impact assessment identified an imbalance in funding being delivered for services across SIMD 1 and 2 areas and also significant impacts on organisations providing services for the BAME communities.
The effects of the coronavirus pandemic were also taken into account by the working group as there will almost certainly be a rise in unemployment after lockdown which would adversely affect SIMD 1 and 2 areas.
As a result a cross party addendum agreeing funding for an extra £611k was approved at the Council’s Policy and Sustainability Committee yesterday, but for some youth organisations, following years of real-tems cuts, the extra funding won’t be enough.
Education Convener Ian Perry said: “The additional £611k that has been agreed by all political parties means we are meeting our primary objective for supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged young people and their families across the whole of Edinburgh especially in SIMD 1 and 2 areas.
“We need to ensure during this Covid-19 crisis that our most disadvantaged communities are well supported and that this support is equitable across the areas that need it most. These communities are likely to be hardest hit during the outbreak and more likely to experience the worst effects of the inevitable crisis.
“We’ve already seen countless examples in the past 10 weeks of communities coming together to support vulnerable families. Now more than ever we need to continue our partnership work with the third sector and voluntary organisations as we help people rebuild their lives again and this funding will help support this aim.”
Education Vice Convener Alison Dickie said: “Our Children’s Services Plan has been the driving force for our grants programme focussing on the outcomes that best support the children, young people and families most impacted by poverty and disadvantage.
“This has resulted in 85% of the awards now being distributed to organisations tackling poverty. We’re also supporting services that deliver for children, young people and families, particularly those with lived experience of the care system, disabilities, young carers, LGBT, and BAME young people.
“The organisations we are supporting are already working hard for people living in SIMD 1 and 2 communities and these grants and decisions will help to ensure there is no gap in provision and also an equity of investment.”
Nineteen organisations will benefit for the first time and the money will be distributed to all groups until 31 August 2023 with the first year’s funding starting on 1 September this year.
In total 186 applications were received from 129 different organisations who submitted bids of £26.4m for the £10.1m three-year fund.
Five priorities were identified to support Council objectives to improve the overall health and wellbeing of young people and their families. They are:
Improve learning and developmental outcomes for disadvantaged babies, infants, children, young people and their families including care experienced young people
Improve mental health and wellbeing outcomes
Support the personal and social development of young people through the delivery of effective universal youth work programmes
Improve the level of participation in learning opportunities for all secondary school age young people and continue to increase positive destinations
Ensure that children and young people’s health and wellbeing are not damaged by alcohol and drugs through the delivery of effective drugs and alcohol prevention work and substance misuse services
Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland to receive funding boost of up to £15 million to help them deal with increased demand during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland have experienced an unprecedented rise in demand during the pandemic
up to £15 million funding will help them provide advice and information on a range of financial, legal and consumer issues
part of a £750 million package set out by the Chancellor for frontline charities
Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland will receive a funding boost of up to £15 million to help them deal with increased demand for advice and information from the public during the COVID-19 pandemic, the UK Government’s Consumer Affairs Minister Paul Scully has announced.
The funding will allow them to increase their capacity so they can continue to deliver advice on a range of issues, such as if a person cannot pay their bills due to coronavirus, or how they can protect themselves from or report a coronavirus-related scam.
The money is part of a £750 million pot announced by the Chancellor Rishi Sunak to help frontline charities continue their vital work during the outbreak.
In line with government advice on social distancing, Citizens Advice, which operates in England and Wales, and Citizens Advice Scotland have temporarily closed their 331 offices, suspended outreach services and shifted their advice services online and over the phone.
They have since seen a significant increase in demand for telephone advice and webchats, and this funding will help them to continue to deliver their services remotely as well as ensuring their online content reflects the most up to date advice.
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has led the allocation of funding to support charities providing key services to help vulnerable people during the crisis.
Consumer Affairs Minister Paul Scully said: “Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland have continued to provide an invaluable service to the public throughout this deeply unsettling period.
“Now more than ever, it is imperative people have access to free, confidential advice on money, legal and consumer problems.
“This funding will ensure Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland have the right resources to provide people with the support they need, when they need it most.
UK government Minister for Scotland Douglas Ross said: “I welcome this funding for Citizens Advice Scotland who provide a vital service that is needed even more during these uncertain times.
“The £15 million package of support from the UK government will ensure they continue to meet the rise in demand to help people across Scotland with their financial, legal and consumer concerns.
“As we all continue to cope with the struggles COVID-19 has brought, it is crucial we work together to make sure we are equipped with the best support to see us through.”
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “In these challenging times, it is vital the British people have access to all the information they need to stay safe and well. This funding will mean those who need advice can get it – whether it’s about finances, employment or the measures we are taking to help protect the public and our NHS.
“This investment is part of a wider government support package for charities on the front line so that they can continue to help those in need.
Dame Gillian Guy, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, said: “During this pandemic we’ve seen a surge in people coming to us for advice. We expect this demand will carry on as people’s lives continue to be affected by the economic impact of COVID-19.
“This funding will allow us to increase the support we can provide over the phone and online – especially to those who need it most.
“The effects of COVID-19 will continue to be felt for a long time. Support for Citizens Advice and other charities is crucial to making sure that everyone has access to the help they need at this incredibly challenging time.”
The proportion of advice issued by the Citizens Advice network relating to employment doubled between March and April and quadrupled since February, the organisation says.
The Citizens Advice service is supported and delivered by more than 21,300 volunteers.
Citizens Advice Scotland Chief Executive Derek Mitchell said: “This additional support for the Citizens Advice network is hugely welcome.
“All across Scotland individual bureaux staff and volunteers have done incredible work transitioning to remote working to ensure people are still getting the advice and support they need.”
Last year. the Department of Work and Pensions funded the Citizens Advice network to the tune of £51 million to provide Universal Credit support – but more than two million people have applied for Universal Credit since the lockdown in March.
Welcoming the announcement of additional funding, a spokesperson for Citizens Advice said: “This funding will help ensure our network can adapt to meet the challenges presented by COVID-19, and continue to deliver the advice people need.”
£8 million for community projects to help combat isolation
Funding of more than £8 million is helping projects to deliver mental health support and wellbeing services for people who are feeling isolated during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The funding was allocated to 344 projects, who are providing support in communities across Scotland, including to those who are self-isolating or shielding.
It is part of a £50 million Wellbeing Fund that is helping people through the pandemic.
Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell said: “Adjusting to life under lockdown is tough and although we have all found it difficult, for some, the strain on their mental health and wellbeing has been a real struggle.
“A quick phone call or dropping off a few essential groceries can have a huge positive impact on people who may be self-isolating or shielding for health reasons. Small acts of kindness will also help those people who have seen their support network – whether that be friends, extended family, colleagues or community groups – disappear almost overnight.
“That is why this funding has been so important. It has enabled groups providing mental health and wellbeing support, alongside other vital services, to offer help and advice as we deal with this pandemic. I am glad we have been able to support groups across Scotland to provide these lifelines at a hugely difficult time.”
Space and Broomhouse Hub in Edinburgh is using £20,500 of wellbeing funding to provide services supporting mental health and combating isolation for a range of age groups. That includes keeping in touch by phone with elderly people who are self-isolating and providing food parcels and ‘boredom buster’ packs to families.
Bridie Ashrowan, Chief Executive at The Broomhouse Project, said: “Our community hub is helping many people locally to manage the traumatic consequences of COVID-19, such as empty kitchen cupboards, paying bills, anxiety, social isolation, digital exclusion, increased stresses on family relationships, and lack of respite for carers, young carers and adults.
“Our amazing staff, volunteers and trustees are delivering this with kindness and community. A huge thank you to the Scottish Government for enabling us to progress this work when it is much needed.”
In Dumfries and Galloway, the Lincluden After School Group has used £15,841 of Wellbeing funding to provide extended respite care services for parents of children with additional support needs, helping to prevent burnout and maintain stability during the crisis.
Kathleen Procter, Manager of the Group, said: “At this scary and unprecedented time, we can’t thank the Scottish Government enough for putting the Wellbeing Fund in place to support charities.
“The funding we received will allow us to provide vital support for children with additional support needs or disabilities. This is a very unsettling time for these children and we are grateful to be able to play our part in continuing to provide as much normality and routine for them as possible.”
The £50 million Wellbeing Fund supports organisations across the third sector that are providing important services for people as a result of coronavirus. It is part of the £350 million emergency coronavirus funding announced by the Communities Secretary on 18 March.
£33 million of the Wellbeing Fund is open to applications, with grants available between £5,000 and £100,000.
The fund is being delivered through national organisations and funders including Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, Corra Foundation, Inspiring Scotland, Impact Funding Partners, The Hunter Foundation, The STV Children’s Appeal, and all of Scotland’s 32 Third Sector Interfaces (TSIs) which provide a single point of access for support and advice for the third sector within local areas.
Phase one of the Wellbeing Fund worth £14 million, has been awarded to a total of 558 projects to provide targeted support in local areas.
Applications for the second round of the Wellbeing Fund opened on 8 May to all organisations that did not apply or receive funding during the first round. As of 20 May, 237 applications had been received during round two worth £4,169,206.
Royal Academy of Engineering supports University-led research project
A project led by an Edinburgh Napier academic to provide homes for refugees fleeing conflict and natural disasters has been awarded major research funding.
A grant worth up to £300,000 over three years will help Francesco Pomponi and his team pursue their ambition of creating comfortable environmentally-friendly shelters in Jordan, Kenya, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
The cash will fund collaborative research to develop an earlier award-winning prototype called Makazi, which means ‘home’ in Swahili, into permanent housing with features like adobe plastering and thatched roofs which can then be customised in line with local traditions.
Dr Pomponi believes millions of people could ultimately benefit from the backing he has secured from the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Frontiers Follow-On Funding programme, which supports research which tackles international development challenges. He will also be mentored by a Fellow of the Academy as a result of the award success.
Dr Pomponi, Associate Professor of Sustainability Research at Edinburgh Napier, said: “More than 70 million people have been displaced as they flee persecution, conflicts and natural disasters, and half of all refugees are children.
“Existing emergency shelters become their semi-permanent homes despite being soulless, wholly inadequate, impacting negatively on the environment, and in disregard of the social habits and traditional values of the people they host.
“Our project SHELTERs – Sustainable Homes Enabling Long Term Empowerment of Refugees – follows on from earlier funding and will allow us to build full-scale prototypes in different countries.”
Two-thirds of the world’s refugees come from just Syria, South Sudan, Afghanistan, Myanmar and Somalia, but they are generally not hosted by wealthy nations but poor and middle-income countries next to their own.
Francesco’s project team – which includes Edinburgh Napier colleagues Professor Mark Huxham and Dr Bernardino D’Amico as well as academics and experts from the UK, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Zimbabwe and South Africa – want to develop a model for permanent housing that can be adapted to different settings, and build prototypes through participatory design involving local communities and intended users.
The project will collect unprecedented data on life cycle costs and environmental impacts whilst assessing users’ comfort and the social suitability of the regional variants developed from the Makazi concept to ensure economic viability and environmental issues are fully considered.
With the involvement of Plan International, the UN Office for Project Services and ARUP International Development, Francesco believes the project can achieve substantial impact and benefit the lives of millions.
Francesco said: “As a privileged, white male born and bred in the Western world, I always had a desire to know more of the life of others and their cultures and grew up with a sense of moral duty of ‘giving back’.
“This project is part of a life-long ambition of leaving a positive impact with what I do and I am grateful that so many international partners from developing countries have supported this idea and committed to working together for the next three years.
“I can’t wait to see what we will achieve together, and how our diverse backgrounds will offer novel insights to tackle old problems.”
Professor Mark Huxham said: “Across the world the numbers of displaced people and refugees are growing, and the difficulties these vulnerable people face are getting worse.
“Many attempts to house refugees that are intended as temporary solutions become long term settlements, and these can have major environmental impacts. This unique project brings together engineers, development experts and environmental scientists such as myself to help find solutions that are better for people and for the environment.”
Dr Bernardino D’Amico, a structural engineering lecturer whose role focuses on construction aspects of the project, said: “I feel very excited about the opportunity this represents to help the displaced. Too often temporary camps, deployed as a result of an emergency, become a permanent place of life for many people.”
The Frontiers Programmes are a suite of activities that address global development challenges using an interdisciplinary and innovative approach. The programmes establish a global community of early- and mid-career researchers, innovators and practitioners, with different perspectives from the forefronts of their disciplines.
The Frontiers Follow-On Funding programme offers mid-sized grants, worth up to £300,000 over three years, to build on previously funded projects, helping them to scale up previous activities into fully formed research projects that tackle global challenges.
Scottish Conservative Lothian MSP Miles Briggs has hit out against Finance Secretary Kate Forbes’ refusal to pass on £150 million in funding from the UK government for Covid-19 relief.
City of Edinburgh Council, like the other 32 local authorities in Scotland, have been told to use their reserves for dealing with Coronavirus.On 31 March 2019 Edinburgh had reserves of £243.1 million.
The UK Government announced another £1.6 billion in funding for local councils in England, but SNP Ministers are declining to hand the equivalent money on to cash strapped councils in Scotland.
The Scottish Conservatives have previously criticised cuts to council budgets before the outbreak of Covid-19 and the withholding of funds to council to fight Covid-19 is a continuation of this trend.
Councils across Scotland have increasingly had to use their reserves to make up the reduction in council funding in the SNP/ Green budget each year, which has depleted their reserves and led to warning from Audit Scotland that Councils are running on empty.
Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, said: “Edinburgh City Council has an important role to play in tackling Covid-19, but are being hindered by the refusal of SNP Ministers to pass on funding for Council that has been made available to Councils in England.
“Health and Social care services have been amongst the hardest hit by Coronavirus and they will continue to struggle if SNP Ministers to not provide them with proper funding.
“Councils are going to become increasingly important in the management of Covid-19 once lockdown is lifted and measures need to be put in place to limit social distancing and have adequate levels of PPE.
“To be effective they will need the funding to be able put these measures in place, funding which is currently being withheld by SNP Ministers.”
SCRAN Academy, People Know How and Dads Rock are among six Edinburgh projects to share in £247,582 funding from The National Lottery Community Fund announced today.
Scran Academy receives an award of £10,000 to deliver free hot meals to vulnerable people across the North of Edinburgh, working with local partners to ensure gaps in service are covered.
John Loughton, Founder and Chief Executive of Scran Academy, which is based at Fet Lor Youth Club on Crewe Road South, said: “COVID-19 has hit our communities rapidly and created serious implications for many of our most vulnerable people.
“Scran Academy and our partners have been able to repurpose and rapidly respond to help offer over 10,500 delivered ready meals to those elderly, frail, facing food poverty or socially isolated.
“The support from The National Lottery demonstrates a trust and understanding in us as grassroots providers to ensure no-one went hungry or alone from day one.
“In many ways agencies like ours have become not only the sole source of hot food and human contact, but like a fifth emergency service. Everyone deserves the dignity of a safe hot meal and safe human interaction; that’s we do, thousands of times every day across the city.”
There’s also £10,000 for Crewe Toll-based People Know How.
The charity will use the funding to help cover the cost of refurbishing and delivering over 200 computers to those in need of support during the coronavirus outbreak.
By refurbishing donated computers, delivering them to people’s doorsteps, and providing follow up phone support, People Know How aim to support members of the community to stay connected, find support or home-school their children.
Dads Rock will provide a wide range of online support to 1,000 families across the city over the next six months thanks to a National Lottery award of £9,950.
Thomas Lynch, Service Manager, Dad’s Rock, said: “Every year we work in deprived areas to help dads, children and families in need of support through free playgroups, mentoring of young dads and delivering antenatal and parenting workshops.
“Thanks to this funding we have been able to respond quickly to the impact of COVID-19 and support our beneficiaries at this difficult time. We are now providing online workshops to parents, including antenatal and Raising Children with Confidence.
“We are also supporting our Young Dads online and, on the telephone, providing music tuition online and providing support to all our families through videos and social media.
“Through these activities parents feel supported and have the tools they need to fully support their children, even in lockdown.”
Biggest award of all goes to Edinburgh Development Group (Scotland), based at Craigmillar’s Castlebrae Centre, who receive almost £198,000.
This group will use the funding over three years to develop two further care co-operatives, using learning from the model previously operated within the City of Edinburgh.
The new co-operatives will be centred around South Queensferry and will involve a community of interest (people with disabilities) and a workers co-operative which will provide a range of support.
The project will work directly with 45 people and involve at least ten volunteers.
Intercultural Youth Scotland (£10,000) and Love Learning Scotland (£10,000) were the other Edinburgh-based projects to receive funding.
Across the country 141 groups, from charities to smaller voluntary led community projects, are receiving funding raised by National Lottery players for a range of activities, many of which will help people to support each other through the COVID-19 crisis.
Projects funded include those that will deliver emergency care packages to vulnerable Scots, those providing online and telephone support to isolated people, as well as projects that will bring people together and give hope for the future once the lockdown is over.
Announcing today’s funding, The National Lottery Community Fund’s Scotland Director, Neil Ritch, said: “In these difficult and unprecedented times, it’s heartening to see the way Scottish communities are coming together to provide each other with support.
“These awards, made possible by National Lottery players, recognise the hugely valuable and important contribution that Scotland’s voluntary and community sector plays in boosting the health, wellbeing and morale of local people.
“Many of them have found innovative ways to keep their communities connected during the current crisis, whilst others will support people in the future when they can physically come back together to make great things happen in their community.”
Over the next six months the National Lottery Community Fund will focus its funding in Scotland on those projects that supporting organisations and communities to respond to the challenge of COVID-19.
Scotland will receive an additional £155 million in funding from the UK Government to help tackle coronavirus.
UK Government minister Douglas Ross said: “The UK Government is doing whatever it takes to help people across the UK during the coronavirus crisis.
“This extra £155 million follows additional funding from the UK Government for council workers who are at the forefront of local efforts in keeping people safe and keeping public services open for those that need them the most.
“The new money for Scotland is on top of the substantial coronavirus funding package that has already been announced, meaning that Scotland will receive a total cash boost of more than £3.4 billion to help tackle coronavirus.
“We know that the current measures will remain in place for a further three weeks and people are facing many challenges. I would like to thank everyone who is following the advice to stay at home, as we protect our NHS and save lives.”
Other UK Government support available to people in Scotland includes:
The UK military providing both the Scottish Government and the NHS with additional specialist skills and expertise
The UK-wide PPE strategy meaning our heroic front-line workers in Scotland have the protection they need to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.
The UK Government expanding testing capacity right across the UK with centres opened recently at Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh airports.
A £330 billion package of loans and guarantees to help UK businesses survive the economic fallout from coronavirus including:
● Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme enables any employer in the country to contact HMRC for a grant to cover 80 per cent of the salary of retained workers up to a total of £2,500 per month.
● Self-employment Income Support Scheme pays self-employed people, who have been adversely affected by Coronavirus, a taxable grant worth 80% of their average income over the last three years, up to £2,500 per month, for at least three months.
● deferring VAT and Income Tax payments so VAT-registered businesses can defer any payment due between 20th March 2020 and 30th June 2020 until a later date if they want and self-assessment tax bills due by 31st July 2020 can be deferred until 31st January 2021.
● A Statutory Sick Pay relief package will repay employers the current rate of SSP that they pay to current or former employees for periods of sickness due to coronavirus starting on or after 13th March 2020.
The Chancellor has announced additional funding of nearly £600 million to help public services in Scotland respond to the challenge of the coronavirus pandemic.
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said: “We have been clear that we will do whatever it takes to help all corners of the UK through this crisis and this additional £600 million will go a long way in helping public services in Scotland respond to the huge challenge they are facing.
This comes on top of the substantial coronavirus funding package for Scotland already in place, meaning that Scotland will receive a total cash boost of £3.3 billion to help tackle Coronavirus.
“The coming weeks may be difficult, but we will do everything we can to save lives, protect jobs, support our public services, and back our businesses so they can thrive in the future.”
Business and individuals in Scotland will also benefit from UK-wide support measures. This includes a £330 billion package of loans and guarantees for businesses, access to the Job Retention Scheme and support for the self-employed.
The UK military is providing both the Scottish Government and the NHS with additional specialist skills and expertise and on Friday the Health Secretary announced the UK-wide PPE strategy meaning our heroic front-line workers in Scotland have the protection they need to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.
The UK Government also expanding testing capacity right across the UK with centres opened recently at Glasgow and Aberdeen airports.
This latest cash boost for Scotland is as a result of the Chancellor further increasing his Budget for the public services fund.
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 Graeme Dey 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.”
