Cut-price train travel for families planned in armed forces reforms

Independent

7 hours ago

Families of military veterans could soon benefit from their own cut-price train fares, as ministers consider extending the popular Veterans Railcard to provide travel discounts.
Under current rules, the railcard offers a third off most train tickets, but spouses of veterans can only access concessions when travelling alongside the cardholder, not independently.
The proposed change would allow family members to use the benefits on their own.
This potential expansion forms part of wider government efforts to strengthen the UK's military covenant.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed plans for a "legal duty" on all government departments, compelling them to consider the needs of military personnel and their families when formulating policy.
Number 10 indicated that more details of this measure would be set out in due course, but suggested it could include initiatives such as extending travel benefits to the families of veterans and the bereaved.
While the extension of the Veterans Railcard to family members is understood to be one proposal under consideration, officials stress that no final decisions have yet been made.
Sir Keir earlier met trainee pilots and their families as he visited RAF Valley on Anglesey in North Wales, to mark Armed Forces Day.
He said: 'Across the country and around the world, our service personnel and their families make the ultimate sacrifice to keep us safe and protect our freedom and our way of life.
'When I became Prime Minister, I made a promise to serve those who have served us.
'Through the new Armed Forces Covenant, we are delivering on that promise, ensuring our service personnel, veterans and their families are treated with the respect they deserve, that is our duty.
'Our Armed Forces Covenant will put our armed forces community at the very heart of government decision-making.
'Their courage, duty, and sacrifice are the foundation of our national values, and they deserve nothing less.'
Labour pledged in its manifesto to fully implement the Armed Forces Covenant, which supports the military community through a range of initiatives and grants.
Under the new legislation all areas of Government will for the first time have to have 'due regard' in decision-making for the unique circumstances and position of the armed forces community, Downing Street said.
Currently, this is only legally required in areas of housing, healthcare and education at local level, meaning it does not apply to central Government.
The extension will cover policy areas including employment, immigration, welfare, transport, pensions, childcare and criminal justice.
The Government aims to make the changes in the next Armed Forces Bill, one of which is required every five years. The last Bill was passed in 2021.
It comes ahead more than 200 events expected to take place across the UK to mark Armed Forces Day.
The town of Cleethorpes in Lincolnshire will host this year's annual national event, and is expected to welcome 200,000 visitors.
It will feature a military parade with personnel from the Royal Navy, British Army and the RAF's Red Arrows, including music from the British Army Band Catterick and the Band of the Coldstream Guards.
A flypast by Chinook helicopters and historic aircraft from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will take place above the town's beaches, as well as a fireworks display and a concert by military musicians.
Defence Secretary John Healey, who will attend the celebrations, said: 'On Armed Forces Day the nation unites to thank our armed forces: our service personnel, our reservists, our veterans and our cadets.
'This is the day we celebrate all they do, in ordinary and extraordinary ways, to make Britain secure at home and strong abroad.
'We're matching our words with actions, committing an extra £1.5 billion to fix forces' family housing this parliament, the largest pay rise in over 20 years for personnel, and bringing the Armed Forces Covenant fully into law.
'Our government's plan for change is renewing the nation's contract with those who serve.'
The Ministry of Defence has also announced that the bidding process for next year's Armed Forces Day national event will open next week on Tuesday.
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