17 October 2025 , 10:50
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Digital veteran cards roll out today and will act as a “case study” for the Government’s widely criticised mandatory digital IDs.
As with the physical version, the digital veteran card launching today is optional and is intended to give former service personnel a faster way to verify their status and access the services they are entitled to.
By contrast, the digital ID scheme unveiled by Sir Keir Starmer last month would be compulsory for anyone working in the UK as part of efforts to curb illegal employment.
Critics have highlighted possible infringements of civil liberties, data protection risks, and the cost of creating and maintaining a digital ID system.
Iain Murray, Minister for Digital Government and Data, told LBC the ID would be “absolutely voluntary.”
He said: “Our aim is to get all 1.8 million veterans in this country onto a digital veteran card.
“Some already have it, some downloaded it while we were there, and others will continue to use the physical card.
“But the veterans card provides access to government services, to charitable organisations in the veterans space, as well as to discounts and other benefits the card enables.”
The Labour MP for Edinburgh South added: “(It’s) arguably a demonstration to the public by default, in that this is the first use case for having a digital credential on your smartphone, and that digital credential is the first verifiable one the government has now launched.
“So using a closed group like the 300,000 veterans is a really good case study to show that it does work.
“And it will be very beneficial; it shows the technology works and helps address some of those legitimate concerns around privacy and security and similar issues.”
However, he said the purpose of the veteran card is not to serve as a trial run for digital IDs.
“The launch of this card is about making veterans’ lives easier by helping them access government services and the benefits that come with the card, rather than demonstrating the much wider issues you talk about… in terms of digital ID,” he said.
The veteran card is the first digital document to be stored in the One Login app the Government has been developing.
It also plans to introduce digital driving licences.
Technology & Business Editor