The Ministry of Defence confirmed on 9 November 2025 that the government will support Second World War veterans with travel to overseas commemorations from 2026. The GOV.UK press notice says the policy is intended to ensure veterans can attend remembrance events while they are still able, with fuller detail due in a Veterans Strategy on Monday 10 November 2025.
Ministers framed the commitment as supporting veterans to “remember, reconnect and pay their respects” following this year’s 80th‑anniversary events in Europe. Lord Coaker referenced commemorations in Poland, the Netherlands and Germany, while Veterans Minister Louise Sandher‑Jones said travel support would begin next year.
The outline sets direction but leaves implementation open. Eligibility is described only as “Second World War veterans”; no budget figure, application route, list of qualifying events, or provisions for carers are included in the announcement. The department signposts the forthcoming Veterans Strategy for further detail on celebrating veterans as a national asset.
Responsibility for delivery sits within the Ministry of Defence. The ministerial role profile shows the Parliamentary Under‑Secretary for Veterans and People oversees veterans policy and delivery, the Office for Veterans’ Affairs and the VALOUR programme, indicating where scheme governance and subsequent updates will issue.
Evidence of status should be straightforward once applications open. On 17 October 2025, government launched a digital HM Armed Forces Veteran Card through the GOV.UK One Login app, initially for in‑person use and expanding to online verification over time. The digital card is optional and sits alongside the physical card.
The announcement follows an intensive year of remembrance activity. D‑Day 80 and VE Day 80 programmes ran earlier in 2025, and VJ Day 80 featured a national two‑minute silence at 12:00 on Friday 15 August alongside Armed Forces participation at a Royal British Legion‑hosted ceremony at the National Memorial Arboretum.
For delivery, stakeholders will look for clarity on whether travel is funded via direct bookings or reimbursement, the extent of support for carers, medical and insurance arrangements, accessibility needs, and which overseas ceremonies qualify. None of these issues is covered in the initial notice and should be addressed in guidance.
Reaction from the veteran community was positive. Jack Mortimer, 102, who landed on Sword Beach on D‑Day, welcomed the plan and said returning to Normandy “matters more than anything” despite the challenges of age.
Next steps are immediate. The Veterans Strategy is scheduled for publication on Monday 10 November 2025, after which the Ministry of Defence is expected to set out eligibility criteria, application instructions and the funding route for 2026 travel.