Government announce digital ID cards for armed forces veterans – and admit it is a dry run for Keir Starmer’s full digital ID card scheme

Veterans will be offered new digital cards in a first scheme of its kind that could serve as a ‘case study’ beyond the proposed government role outside mandatory online IDs for every UK citizen.

Those who have served in the armed forces will be able to download a digital version of the HM Armed Forces Veteran Card via a government app from today.

The new digital format is designed to provide quick and secure proof of service to former military members to help them access specialist support when registering with a GP, applying for housing support or proving service for veterans’ discounts and rebates.

Optional for all veterans, this card is available alongside the existing physical card, which was first released in 2018.

While approximately 1.8 million people in the UK are eligible for this scheme, personnel only need to have served in the forces for one day to be eligible to apply. Around 300,000 veterans currently hold an HM Armed Forces card.

Digital Government Minister Ian Murray said the introduction of digital cards for veterans could show the public how credentials work and allay some of their fears about security.

The Edinburgh South Labor MP said: ‘(It’s) probably a public demonstration by default, in the sense that this is the first use case of having digital credentials on your smartphone, and digital credentials are the first type of verifiable information that the government is now introducing.

‘So using a closed group of like 300,000 veterans [who already have a veterans card] It’s a really good case study showing that it works.

Approximately 300,000 of 1.8 million veterans currently have a physical veteran ID card

‘And that will be very useful, it shows that the technology works, which shows that we can prove and dispense with some of the legitimate concerns around privacy, security and those kinds of issues.’

But he said the main purpose of the veterans card was to help former members of the armed forces access Government services and benefits.

‘The launch of this card is about making veterans’ lives easier, providing access to government services and the benefits of this card, rather than illustrating the much broader issues you’ve mentioned in terms of digital identity,’ he said.

The digital veterans’ card is the first online ID issued by the British government and will come into force on Remembrance Day next month.

Available through the government’s new GOV.UK One Login app, the card will be available for instant download once approved, saving veterans from having to wait weeks for a physical copy to be produced and issued.

They will then be able to use this to prove they are eligible for targeted support systems such as mental and physical health plans.

Mr Murray reassured veterans that the card, which contains personal data such as name, date of birth and the branch of the armed forces in which they served, was secure.

He told the Mail that security and data protection were ‘at the core’ of the plan, pointing out that physical cards could be lost, stolen or tampered with.

‘Wearing this [a veteran’s] “This way it means they can access the smartphone instantly, get it much faster and use it for verification for anything they want to access,” he said.

‘Of course, there’s a read into digital identity and that’s around safety and security, but the key to having that on your phone is that you go through the UK One login app.

‘There is no data being transferred. ‘Then what happens is the app asks the MOD (the person holding the data) if this person is a senior and all that comes back is yes or no.’

The card cannot be added to a single device’s wallet; instead, the card must be accessed through the app after entering a passcode or using face or fingerprint ID.

Keir Starmer faced a furious backlash over ‘dystopian’ plans to force millions of adults to get digital ID cards when he announced the plan last month

Individuals’ card usage will not be monitored and a new database will not be created to hold veterans’ personal data.

This move marks an important step in the implementation of the government’s ‘Modern Digital Government Plan and Change Plan’, which aims to make public services simpler, faster and more accessible.

On what would be considered a success for the scheme, Mr Murray said he hoped more of the UK’s veteran community would sign up for a physical or digital card.

“There are 1.8 million veterans in the UK and this government really cares about veterans and wants to make the lives of their post-arms forces as easy as possible,” he told the Mail.

‘You can have both, but it’s not a mandatory system. I would really like the 1.3 million people who do not have a veteran card to have easier access to this card.

‘Some veterans don’t know they can have it, they don’t know its value, and they don’t know it’s available to them. ‘Hopefully this will mean more veterans will know they can get this card.’

The announcement follows criticism of compulsory digital identity cards, which the government hopes will crack down on immigrants working illegally in the UK.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer made the announcement last month, insisting the cards would mean anyone without the right to work in the UK would be unable to find work.

He said they would also make it easier for the public to access the services they deserve and reduce fraud and errors in social assistance plans.

The cards are expected to be required for ‘right to work’ checks by the end of Parliament in 2029.

But concerns have been raised about privacy and security, and some experts worry whether the cards could create a new target for cyber attacks.

Mr Murray told the Mail that having a digital ID card would not be mandatory: ‘The key thing here is that in terms of the whole government digital identity policy, there will be no obligation for you to have a card or a digital ID. You will not have to show your digital ID.

‘The only use case that will be mandatory is where it is currently required so that you can prove that you have the right to work in the UK.’

The Conservatives, Reform England and Liberal Democrats have said they would not support the introduction of mandatory ID cards.

Technology Minister Liz Kendall said: ‘Our veterans have given their all serving their country and it’s right that we give them all the support they need.

‘As we deliver national renewal, we are also modernizing our public services so we can work on people’s lives and keep up with the digital world we live in.

‘The digital veterans’ card will help remove barriers, reduce red tape and make it easier for people to access the public services they need.’

Minister for Veterans and People Louise Sandher-Jones said: ‘Our veterans have given so much to our country and we must ensure they can easily access the support and recognition they deserve and deserve.

‘This digital Veteran Card removes barriers and puts convenience back in their hands, whether it’s registering with a new GP, seeking housing support or simply getting a discount at the local museum.

‘With 1.8 million veterans across the UK now able to benefit from this innovation, we are delivering on our commitment to modernize services for our veteran community.’