November 9, 2019
Up to 700,000 veterans who are not covered by existing rail cards will be able to receive the discount. The move announced today will build on the Conservatives’ commitment to supporting veterans and recognising their service to the country.
Eligibility will be extended to all those who have served in the Armed Forces, as well as their spouses and dependent children travelling with the railcard holder. This will allow many veterans, and their families, to save hundreds of pounds every year.
This latest show of recognition comes after the Government’s establishment of the first ever Office for Veterans’ Affairs, ensuring that dedicated ministers in the Cabinet Office ensure that the Government delivers the life-long support that veterans deserve.
Commenting, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said:
"We owe a debt to the men and women who've served our country. This railcard will support veterans who don't already qualify for senior or disabled people's railcards to make the most of the opportunities available after their service, whether employment or strengthening links with friends and family."
Eligibility would be determined by the new Veterans’ ID Card being rolled out from this year. Spouses and dependent children will be able to travel at a discount with the railcard holder.
It will save users substantial sums e.g. nearly £38 on an off-peak return from Leeds to London.
Of the 2.3m veterans in Britain, between 1.6m and 1.7m already qualify for the Senior Railcard or the Disabled Persons' Railcard.
This is the first time that veterans’ affairs will be overseen by dedicated ministers in the Cabinet Office to ensure the whole of government pulls together to deliver the life-long support our veterans deserve.
The Strategy outlines a new vision and principles to support those who served, in areas including community and relationships, employment and skills, health and wellbeing, finance and debt, housing, and contact with the law.
Commenting, Therese Coffey, Secretary of State for the Department of Work and Pensions, said:
“Corbyn’s Pension Tax will see ten million savers facing a huge bill forcing them to delay their retirement for almost three and a half years.
“This is just one of the ways a Corbyn government would hammer hardworking people on top of his plans to hike up taxes by £2,400 a year, as well as the cost of his plan for unlimited immigration and the chaos of 2020 being dominated by two more referendums – one on Brexit and another on Scottish independence.
“Only Boris Johnson and the Conservative Party can get Brexit done with a deal, get parliament working again and turbocharge our economy to unleash Britain’s potential.”
Read more about how this Pension Tax will impact millions of savers (PDF)
