The UK Government has confirmed that veterans will soon receive Digital Veteran Cards, ensuring easier access to services while prioritising data security and privacy.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Office for Veterans’ Affairs (OVA) are working together on the design, implementation, and governance of the new digital system.
Responding to a Parliamentary Question from Ellie Chowns (Green Party – North Herefordshire), Al Carns, Minister for Veterans, reassured that the Digital Veteran Card system will comply with GDPR and Secure by Design principles.
He stated:
“To ensure the privacy and protection of veterans’ personal information, the implementation of the Digital Veteran Card system will be developed in collaboration with Government Digital Services and the Office for Veterans’ Affairs.”
The digital card will not contain or display sensitive military information, particularly for veterans with classified service histories or those who served in Special Forces. Carns added:
“As with the current physical cards, the digital cards will not hold or present detailed or sensitive service information.”
Veteran communities and service organisations are being actively consulted in the development of the system. The project team is conducting user research with veterans and charities to ensure that the card provides a high-quality, user-centred service.
The implementation of the Digital Veteran Card aims to streamline access to services, making it easier for veterans to prove their status without relying on physical documentation. The MOD and OVA will continue engagement with veterans to ensure that their concerns over data protection, security, and accessibility are fully addressed.
Veteran’s card:
Saves me a fortune on train fares – allows purchases of Veteran’s Railcard.
Placed on Priority Housing list of my Council.
Done sod all about dentistry but 2/3 is really worthwhile.
There is no hope for dentistry, you cannot even get a child seen on the NHS anymore..essentially the dentists have just told the NHS to F%%k off until you can pay twice as much.. the joy of private healthcare providers.
Thank you for filling me with hope, Jonathan 😉
Since the only information that actually needs to be held in order to provide services that are specifically for veterans is ‘person X = veteran’, it really shouldn’t be difficult to stand up a secure system that does the job.
I like the idea of applying for mine having recently spoken to an oppo who has his. Sadly I’m unsure whether it would be much use to me as I very rarely use the train and get discounts via the blue light card and R.M charity.
Personally I think everyone should have an identity card to access services and to work..it would tighten up the illegal employment market and make a big impact on illegal entry to the UK.
Agree. If you have nothing to hide then you shouldn’t be worried.
It was something that flummoxed me – the ‘proposed’ design of the UK identity card would feature a ‘bull’ and some MSN referenced John Bull – actually, my Slovak identity card looked the same… and my final Latvian card cost me 28 Euros – for a population of 1.5m… and yet, David Cameron spoke of £110 – £120 for a very similar card… Why? Why the rampant cost inflation when we had huge economies of scale? Latvia has an education system where students can see their grades, their (anonymous) classmates grades, school grades, other school grades etc. And in England?
We have so much to learn from the Central Europeans about the introduction of technology…at pace…(I truly dislike that expression) and with VfM.
In Britain, we bring in consultants, in CE, they just employ people who can do the job. I won’t ask what you think about Wes Streeting’s plan for the NHS – but, I think there are lessons to be learnt from other countries.