Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the visual quality of images on Armed Forces Veteran Cards.

The image used on the Armed Forces Veteran Cards is provided by the individual themselves and, similarly to passport applications, detailed guidance on image standards is provided within the application process. All images are checked before printing to ensure that the photograph is appropriate and that a good likeness can be established.

Of the 67,335 Phase 2 cards issued since the new digital application and verification service launched on 28 January 2024, a small percentage were misprinted due to printer error. The causes of the misprints have been identified and are being addressed. These errors are well within levels expected from a new, high volume, automated process which delivers significant cost savings for the taxpayer.

The automation of printing and enveloping means that printed cards are not individually checked before despatch. However, any card reported as poorly printed on receipt is investigated and a new card is printed and sent directly to the individual.