AN EXTRA £1 million in government support for homeless veterans was dismissed as “peanuts” last night by a leading campaigner for ex-soldiers.

Former army sergeant Gus Hales told the Morning Star: “This may sound like a lot of money, but charities estimate there are scores of homeless veterans and when you divide it among them, it will be peanuts.

“The administrative costs of allocating this money will swallow up most of it in an instant and, so in many ways, the government is just paying lip service. It’s quite insulting.”

The Ministry of Defence does not officially record the number of homeless veterans, making it impossible to know how much money per person this new fund represents.

The new pot of money was unveiled today by Communities Secretary James Brokenshire.

He claimed the investment would cover 11 local areas and be spent on housing advice, mental health support and reducing the risk of homelessness.

Mr Brokenshire said: “Our veterans play a vital role in keeping our country safe and many have dedicated their lives to the services.

“For those who fall on hard times and end up on the street, it is only right that we give them all the support they need to put a roof over their head.

“Local authorities across the country already provide much-needed support for veterans, but this boost will allow them to go further and ensure that more people have access to valuable services, such as housing advice or mental health support.”

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson MP said: “The vast majority of those leaving the armed forces go on to lead fulfilling and rewarding lives, but it’s right that we support those who struggle.

“One veteran on the street is one too many and I welcome today’s announcement on funding to address homelessness and rough sleeping.”

On Remembrance Sunday last year, opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn pledged that Labour in government would guarantee armed forces veterans “the opportunity to have a home, to heal and to retrain when they complete their time in service.

“We will do the right thing by ending the scourge of rough-sleeping and helping veterans embark on new careers,” he added.