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MoD Announcement on the issue of Veteran's ID Cards

The introduction of the Veterans ID Card scheme is to be applauded as a justified method of recognition for the selfless service and sacrifices made by all Veterans who have served in the Armed Forces.

In April 2009 the long awaited announcement regarding the issue of a Veterans ID Card has been made by the Government.

Kevan Jones, Minister for Veterans, said ‘the Government needed to make the Veterans ID Card issue happen’. He went on to say that the issue of the ID Card would provide Veterans with the recognition they deserved, having served their country as members of the Armed Forces, and make it possible for them to obtain priority access to medical treatment.

It is thought that under the proposed plans more than four million former members of the Armed Forces could benefit from preferential treatment on the NHS and, where necessary, access to council housing. These were some of the recommendations made by a Conservative Commission in 2008 where it was considered that greater efforts should be made to rebuild the Military Covenant, an unwritten pact whereby serving and retired members of the Armed Forces receive special treatment in recognition of the sacrifices they have made.

It was in 2001 that a Ministry of Defence ‘working group’ was formed to assess the viability of a Veterans ID Card scheme. It had been acknowledged that progress on the ID Card scheme had been slow but confirmed issues could start as early as 2010 and that the cards would guarantee the identity of the bearer whilst giving access to specific services and discounts. What advantages, such as discounts or subsidised rail and bus travel, would be available to Veterans was not clear when the announcement was made on 29 March.

Veterans of the American Armed Forces have long been issued with ID Cards where benefits, such as access to PX facilities, treatment in military hospitals, discount schemes and ‘fill up’ travel on military flights, are available to them. Other countries run similar schemes for former members of their Armed Forces.

The introduction of the Veterans ID Card scheme is to be applauded as a justified method of recognition for the selfless service and sacrifices made by all Veterans who have served in the Armed Forces.

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