The rate of support services in Scotland that are closing is double the number of those that are opening

The amount of Armed Forces charities in Scotland has fallen substantially in recent years.

Research by the Directory of Social Change has shown the rate of charities closing is double the number that are opening.

Since 2012, 111 Armed Forces charities in Scotland have closed and 56 have opened.

While there are still 633 membership association branches in the UK, which offer social and comradeship activities, there are now 152 fewer branches than in 2012.

The research shows there are 1,888 Armed Forces charities in the UK, compared to 6,500 health charities and 7,650 in education.

DSC senior researcher and lead author of the study, Rhiannon Doherty said: “This report holds a mirror to the armed forces charity sector and highlights significant sector trends from 2012 to 2018. It contributes to DSC’s growing evidence base which seeks to accurately profile the ever-changing armed forces charity landscape.”

Air Vice-Marshal Ray Lock CBE, chief executive of the Forces in Mind Trust, said: “This latest report in the Focus On series is a must read for those making decisions about resources, how they can be generated and where they are best deployed, as well as for those who commentate responsibly about the sector. There is a common myth that there are too many Armed Forces charities; evidence from this report shows this is untrue.”