Veteran ID cards: First veterans receive cards as phase two rollout begins
The second phase of the long-awaited Veteran ID card rollout has arrived, to cover all long-standing former members of the British Armed Forces.
Minister for Veterans' Affairs Johnny Mercer visited HMS Sultan in Gosport where the cards are being manufactured and issued the first of the phase two cards to four military veterans.
Since 2018, all service leavers have been entitled to a Veteran ID Card, but this new phase will provide cards to longer-standing veterans.
Mr Mercer said: "I'm pleased for the veterans. You can see what it means to them. You can see how long they've waited for it.
"That's what it's all about. This is not an issue that's been burning away at me for a long time, but I know the veteran community is huge and it's been delayed for a long time.
"I was determined to come in and make a commitment and get them into people's hands this year."
The Veteran ID cards allow former personnel to easily verify their service to the NHS, their local authority, and charities, helping them to access support and services.
The cards – which the Government aims to issue to every veteran in Great Britain – are also a memento of service and help maintain a tangible link to the Armed Forces.
Army veteran David Cussell said: "It gives us an identity. We should be able to use it to get on camps when we go for reunions and save money.
"It shows we are part of a big family.
"No matter what service you were in, we're all veterans together," he added.
In November 2022, the Government reassured veterans that the rollout of their ID cards was "accelerating" amid claims by Labour it could take more than 100 years at the current rate.
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