The government is to introduce a digital card for veterans next year, to give veterans faster access to help and support with housing, employment and rail discounts.

The ‘Digital Veteran Card’ (DVC) will enable veterans who have smartphones to download the details of their paper card instantly.

The new DVC format will enable access to a range of essential support services.

Dermot Roberts, Royal British Legion Chair in Ivybridge, welcomed the move but pointed out that not everyone would benefit.

“Anything that makes it easier for veterans to ask for help has got to be a good thing. (But) if you are asking a veteran who is homeless, he's not likely to have a mobile phone.

“People don't take up the veteran card because it's a cumbersome process to go through. For somebody like me who uses the GOV.UK website quite regularly, it's simple, but for people who do not use the internet to that degree, I don't quite know what the answer is.”