Bank fines distributed to emergency services

On Friday the Government announced that nearly £10m of LIBOR fines will be given to emergency services charities, including the Ambulance Service Benevolent Fund (ASBF).

The funding will be divided in England as follows:

• mental health – up to £4m to help mental health charity MIND in developing a package of targeted support and information for all emergency services personnel

• physical injury – £3m to address physical injuries incurred on the frontline with £2m specifically to enhance existing police and fire service treatment and rehabilitation centres, and provide funding so ambulance and search and rescue personnel can also benefit from these facilities

• bereavement – £1m to bring together numerous charities that provide support to the bereaved families of emergency services personnel, and to ensure further coverage across all the emergency services

• development of the ASBF – grant funding to help the charity expand so it can provide a high level of support to all ambulance services personnel and volunteers in times of need.

Chief Executive Anthony Marsh said: “I welcome the Government’s decision to direct these funds towards better supporting our staff. The direct investment in the ASBF will really boost the service they provide and enable them to offer more help.”

The LIBOR fund has been raised through fines imposed on banks for misdemeanours and attempted manipulation of financial markets.

Published 10th October 2014