Poppyscotland Welfare Centre, Kilmarnock

That this House is disappointed that the Poppyscotland Welfare Centre in Kilmarnock is to close and pays tribute to the vital work undertaken by the staff since the premises opened to the public in 2018; appreciates that covid-19 has had an impact on the centre’s ability to operate; further notes the pressure on finances and that the LIBOR funding awarded was only for a three year period, and that the UK Government need to provide more sustainable long term funding for such initiatives; further that this will create another empty unit in Kilmarnock town centre; welcomes that all staff are being retained to continue their valuable support services for veterans; notes that Poppyscotland have highlighted that since 2016 the charity has seen a 20 per cent increase in people needing support with housing, financial issues, mental health and well-being and mobility meaning that easy access to support services is more important than ever; thanks and recognises the vital work that Poppyscotland and the Royal British legion does to support veterans while acknowledging that in an ideal world veterans would not require to rely on such support, and in the meantime hopes that Poppyscotland and the Royal British Legion continue to flourish and once again conveys thanks to the staff who were based at the Kilmarnock Welfare centre and wishes them all the best in their endeavours going forward providing lifeline support services to veterans.