militaryChancellor George Osborne has announced in today's Budget that UK veterans will benefit from money raised in fines from the Libor scandal where bankers illegally tried to fix the London inter-bank lending rate, which underpins trillions of pounds worth of loans and financial contracts.

Some of this money will go to Combat Stress. Andrew Cameron, chief executive of Combat Stress, welcomed this funding boost: "Following our successful bid, we will invest the money in two important ways: £2 million will be spent over the next 3 years to employ specialist community psychiatric nurses trained in addictions case management, to work in our existing and successful community outreach teams across the UK.

“Many veterans with mental health conditions also suffer from alcohol and/or drug misuse or addiction problems - problems which mean that they cannot receive the mental health treatment and support that they desperately need. By adding specialist nurses with these specific skills to our existing UK-wide network of community outreach teams, Combat Stress will be able to provide the expert detoxification support to veterans with addiction needs and improve their chances of recovery - both from their alcohol or drug problems and their mental ill-health.

“These new nurses will be an integral part of each community outreach team - bringing their expertise, carrying out assessments of veterans' needs and providing detoxification services, as well as ensuring that each veteran can maintain their independence from alcohol or drugs while they are undergoing treatment for their mental health conditions.”

Cameron added that in addition £200,000 will fund the operation of Combat Stress’ 24-hour helpline (0800 138 1619) for another year. The helpline is a service for the whole military community serving personnel, reservists, veterans and families/ friends. On average it receives more than 120 contacts per week.