Claim of unequal funding for U.K. veterans and mosques is misleading

Context

A viral post (archived here) alleges, "[UK Prime Minister Keir] Starmer is only giving £3.5 million to aid homeless Veterans but gave £117 million to protect Mosques!" 

The claim has also been shared on X (archived here and here) and has racked up thousands of views. It suggests a disparity in funding priorities, implying that homeless veterans receive less support than mosques.

However, the claim omits critical context about the funding's timeframe, the departmental budget allocated, and the total value. 

In fact

Any comparison between the two figures is misleading as they fund distinct initiatives with differing purposes and timelines. The £117 million budget to protect mosques, Muslim schools, and community centers in the U.K. spans the next four years, ensuring sustained security and safety measures over an extended period.

In contrast, the £3.5 million is additional funding allocated for homeless veterans' support services from this Christmas into 2026. It is a part of Starmer's "Homes for Heroes" pledge announced last year. Although the exact total for this initiative remains unclear, in October 2024, the government also announced veterans' capital housing grants totaling almost £3.7m.

Logically Facts contacted the Ministry of Defence to ask how much was pledged as part of the initiative but has not received a response. 

Additionally, there are other ongoing funding programs for homeless veterans. In 2022, the Conservative government at the time allocated £8.5 million in a bid to end veteran homelessness from 2022 to 2024. In 2023, the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust announced the launch of the Reducing Veteran Homelessness Programme, which awards two-year grants totaling £8m to help veterans experiencing homelessness. 

Additionally, veterans can access other benefits, including universal credit, child benefits, Statutory Sick Pay, Armed Forces Independence Payments, Personal Independence Payments, Sure Start maternity grants, Jobseekers Allowance, and tax credits. 

The claim also inaccurately attributes this funding discrepancy to Keir Starmer's Labour Party. In reality, Rishi Sunak's Conservative government decided to increase funding for the protection of U.K. Muslims. This funding commitment was announced on March 13, 2024, two months before Labour, led by Starmer, won the general election and succeeded the Sunak government.

Lastly, the funding to protect mosques comes from the Home Office budget, whereas the £3.5 million of additional funding to support veterans has been allocated by the Ministry of Defence. 

The verdict

The claim is misleading. The funding amounts reflect different timeframes and purposes. Additionally, the Conservative government decided on the mosque protection funding, not Starmer.