Cash boost for war veteran group

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A charity which supports war veterans with mental health problems has been given an increase in funding.

Combat Stress will be given a 45% increase over the next two years by the Ministry of Defence.

As a result, the daily fee paid to the charity for treating eligible war pensioners will increase from around £180 to around £260 a day.

The charity welcomed the decision, saying there was a significant rise in demand for their services.

The increases will apply to all three Combat Stress treatment centres, Tyrwhitt House and Audley Court in England, and Hollybush House in Scotland, which is funded by the Scottish National Health Service.

'Desperate need'

Veterans Minister Derek Twigg said: "This increase represents a significant boost to the charities finances and is the latest improvement that the MoD has made to help veterans suffering from mental illness."

Commodore Toby Elliott, chief executive of Combat Stress, said he was delighted by the increase in funding.

"Combat Stress is experiencing a significant rise in demand for our very specialist services by veterans many of whom are badly damaged and in desperate need of our help.

"We aim to give mentally ill veterans the best possible care, and to do this properly we rely very heavily on continued government support."

The MoD says it is also working to develop a new model of community-based mental health care for veterans.