JUST 3% of veterans in Fife have received the ID cards promised to them by the UK Government to support them with access to crucial services.
Only 617 veteran’s ID cards have been distributed to the approximately 18,000 total veterans in the county.
Now, Labour’s General Election candidate for Dunfermline and West Fife, Graeme Downie, has launched a Veterans’ Voice campaign which aims to understand concerns from former service men and women.
In 2019, The UK Government promised to provide every veteran in the UK with a card, in order to provide fast access to health, housing and charity services.
In December, Veterans’ Minister Johnny Mercer promised to roll out all remaining ID cards by this summer.
However, analysis conducted by the Labour Party also showed that at the current rate of delivery, it will take more than a century to give every veteran a card.
To keep his promise, Mr Mercer needs to deliver over 1.7 million in cards in the next three months, despite currently being far from that target.
Now, Mr. Downie has accused the UK Government of failing veterans.
Veterans’ Voice is Labour’s nationwide listening campaign to link up with veterans and their families and shape the party’s plans for the next general election.
To raise awareness about this issue and address concerns of local veterans, Mr. Downie has organised an event at the Royal British Legion in Dunfermline on 26 June from 1pm as part of Labour’s Veterans’ Voice campaign. All Veterans are invite to join.
Graeme Downie, Scottish Labour candidate for Dunfermline and West Fife, said: “It is crystal clear the Conservative UK Government is letting down veterans across Fife.”
“The veterans ID card is supposed to help our society keep its promise to those who serve by ensuring quick access to services like healthcare. But Conservative ministers have delivered just a fraction of the cards needed.”
“Our veterans don’t need empty promises, they need action.
“That’s why Labour has launched its Veterans’ Voice campaign to hear directly from former personnel and their families, and put their lived experiences at the heart of our future policy offer.”
“I am looking forward to discussing these issues and I am sure many others with local veterans at the event I have organised later this month.”
