A VETERANS charity is set to be awarded more than half a million pounds in today's budget annoncement.
Chancellor Philip Hammond is expected to award Bravehound, based in Erskine, £530,000 when he delivers the budget in the House of Commons this afternoon.
Bravehound provides assistance dogs for veterans, particularly those suffering from mental or physical health issues.
The cash would help expand the charity's existing training programme, pay for new assistance dogs and recruit former military dog handlers as trainers.
It would benefit 730 veterans in Scotland and the North of England.
The funding follows a commitment from the UK Government in 2012 that proceeds from LIBOR fines would be used to support Armed Forces and emergency services charities.
The £530,000 will fund a three-year programme to provide assistance dogs for veterans, developed with consultation from Guide Dogs UK.
A successful one-year pilot programme has shown the dogs provide 24-hour companionship which has made a lasting difference to veterans' lives.
The programme will also provide employment opportunities for veterans at the centre, including former military dog handlers who will train the dogs.
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