£22.7m in bank fines awarded to charities supporting older veterans

The Aged Veterans Fund has awarded £22.7m of funding from bank fines to 10 charities to improve support and introduce new services to help older veterans.

The money will help organisations across the country continue to support older veterans, including through health care and carers, support with using the internet, and offering general advice.

Charities to receive funding are Age UK, Poppyscotland, The Royal British Legion, the British Nuclear Test Veterans Association, Cornwall Rural Community Charity, Rural Action Yorkshire, St Johns and Red Cross Defence Medical Welfare Service, Age Cymru, Seafarers UK, and Hospice UK.

The Aged Veterans Fund, set up in 2015, had a total of £30m in fines levied on banks for interest rate manipulation available to support older veterans.

An award totalling almost £4m went to Poppyscotland, which manages 14 projects under its Unforgotten Forces programme providing wellbeing improvements to homes, helping prevent veterans from feeling isolated, and supporting those who suffer hearing problems.

Age UK received £4.4m for its Joining Forces scheme. The programme gives up to 12 weeks of tailored support for older veterans across the country, providing information and advice, practical support at home, access to social events and digital technology, and opportunities to become more active.

The Legion Healthy Living Portfolio, led by The Royal British Legion, was awarded £4.8m to promote healthy living through initiatives including local activities, research to improve services, and the training of specialist staff.

Defence Minister Mark Lancaster said: “Our veterans have given so much for their country, and the Aged Veterans Fund is a way of us thanking our older veterans and ensuring they are cared for in later life.”