Fines levied on banks involved in a rate-fixing scandal are to be used to boost care for veterans.

 

Erskine, which provides support for ex-servicemen and women in Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire, is one of 14 organisations which will share a £4 million award to support older veterans and their families.

 

The money is coming from a HM Treasury grant-giving body funded from ‘Libor’ banking fines and the sum has been boosted by Standard Life’s Accelerated Development Support Programme.

 

Over the next three years, the Unforgotten Heroes project will use the cash to improve the co-ordination of existing provision and introduce new services aimed at supporting older veterans.

 

Mark Bibbey, chief executive of Poppyscotland, said: “Key organisations have joined forces to provide a more holistic provision for aged veterans.

 

“If a veteran is engaged with one organisation, for example, they can immediately be referred to another – or multiple consortium members if required.

 

“The essence is strength in numbers and we want the identity of our consortium to reflect this.”