Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to increase the uptake of veteran ID cards by eligible veterans who were discharged before December 2018.

I can confirm this Government is absolutely committed to expanding the use of the Veteran Card and continues to assess options to increase uptake, with around 270 applications per day being received.

As per our manifesto commitment, work is being undertaken to further expand the benefits of having a card, including making the Veteran Card an accepted form of Voter ID. I am also pleased to note that the card has recently become an accepted form of ID on British Airways domestic flights.

Extensive communications have been issued by the Ministry of Defence in relation to the application service for the HM Armed Forces Veteran Card Scheme and applications have also opened for veterans in prison as part of the rehabilitation process.

I also recognise the vast demographic of the veterans’ community and therefore continue to ensure paper applications are also available for those not digitally able to apply via the online route.