Chancellor donates £10m to landmine research
Sir Bobby Charlton’s landmine-clearing charity, Find a Better Way, to receive a £10 million grant to support its ground breaking scientific work.
Sir Bobby Charlton’s landmine-clearing charity, Find a Better Way, will receive a £10 million grant to support its ground breaking scientific work, Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne has announced at a No11 Downing Street reception for the charity.
This will be funded by fines levied on banks for abusing the Libor system, which the government has earmarked for military good causes.
The Chancellor has previously met with Manchester United and England legend Sir Bobby to discuss his Cheshire-based charity. Established in 2011 following Sir Bobby’s visit to Cambodia, the charity seeks to both clear land mines from affected countries and to look at new technologies that may assist in recovery through the regeneration of limbs via new and innovative genetic technologies. Therefore the government funding will support the UK’s wider science base remain at the forefront of this innovative research.
George Osborne, The Chancellor of the Exchequer, said:
Find a Better Way is a brilliant charity that researches ground breaking scientific technologies to clear landmines and support those tragically injured by them.
I have met with Sir Bobby Charlton and the team, and seen for myself the brilliant work that they do. That’s why I’m delighted to be able to donate £10 million of Libor bank fines to help them continue their invaluable research into regenerating limbs, which will not only help the UK develop world-leading technology, but most importantly save and improve countless lives across the globe.
The Libor fines are paid by those who’ve demonstrated the worst of values, and it’s right they go towards supporting those who demonstrate the best of values.
Sir Bobby Charlton, founder of Find a Better Way, said:
This funding from HM Treasury will help to achieve the aspirational goals we set out when we launched the charity over four years ago. It will play a pivotal role in improving the lives of thousands who live with the horrific trauma caused by landmines and help to ensure the success of these critical programmes.
The Chancellor invited Sir Bobby, the charity’s trustees and key supporters to give him an overview of the charity’s five year plan and outline its goals in progressing its ambition to continue to get rid of landmines, provide support for the victims of landmines and educate those who live under the threat of landmines. They were also joined by Manchester business leaders and leading academics from Manchester University who are working closely with the charity to develop mine detecting technologies.
The funding for this Libor donation comes from fines levied on banks for misconduct. The government pledged that all the proceeds from these fines would be spent during this parliament on military and blue light good causes. So far, more than £200 million of funding has been awarded to a range of projects from the Invictus Games to mental health support for ambulance, police and fire services.