MORE than £50,000 has been awarded to a Corsham military charity from the Office for Veterans’ Affairs and the MoD.

Corsham-based Recruit for Spouses is set to receive £58,920 from a support package announced by the Chancellor in April to ensure charities can continue their work.

The cash is part of nearly £6m of extra funding, that is shared between 100 Armed Forces charities, to support serving personnel, veterans and their families during the pandemic.

The funding will allow Recruit for Spouses to create an online digital platform that will provide employment resources with the aim of supporting military spouses in securing career success.

Chippenham MP Michelle Donelan said: “This is fantastic news for Recruit for Spouses Career Academy CIC.

“I first met them years ago and was impressed by their work and the way they highlight the skills and assets of military spouses.

“They are a fantastic asset to Corsham and Wiltshire at large.”

The charities in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland benefitting from this funding range from local charities to more well-known names.

The charities provide support to veterans and serving personnel in a range of different areas, including employment, health and wellbeing and support for service families.

As part of the government’s commitment to supporting service personnel throughout their military and civilian lives, next month a consultation will also be launched on employers paying no National Insurance contributions on the salary of any veteran they take on during their first year of civilian employment.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak said: “If it wasn’t for the brave servicemen and women who serve and protect our country, we would not have a United Kingdom to call our home.

“That’s why we must continue to do everything we can to support our veterans through these challenging times.

“Under the plans announced in this year’s Budget, an employer taking on a veteran earning £25k will save around £2,000 in NICs.”