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13/10/2004
Wartime generation in line for free passports
Britain's wartime generation are set to receive free passports from next week, the Home Secretary has announced today.
In recognition of the sacrifices made by World War II veterans and civilians, every British citizen born on or before September 2 1929 will, from this Monday, no longer have to pay the standard cost of £42 for a UK passport.
Around 4.5 million people will now receive free passports for life as part of the scheme.
Many veterans have already received free one-year passports to enable them to revisit battlefields in the 60th anniversary year of the D-Day landings.
Home Secretary David Blunkett announced earlier this year that this would be extended to cover everyone that played a part in the war effort.
Mr Blunkett, who today visited the Cabinet War Rooms in Whitehall, said: "The years of the Second World War were amongst the darkest in our nation's history. We must never forget the sacrifices made and bravery shown by the entire wartime generation.
"I want to thank and honour every adult who helped us defeat the Nazis and their allies - not just those in our brave armed forces, but those who played their part on the home front."
Brigadier Ian Townsend, Secretary General of the Royal British Legion, welcomed the move and said that it would enable all those who lived through the World War II to visit places liberated by the Allies.
(gmcg/mb)
In recognition of the sacrifices made by World War II veterans and civilians, every British citizen born on or before September 2 1929 will, from this Monday, no longer have to pay the standard cost of £42 for a UK passport.
Around 4.5 million people will now receive free passports for life as part of the scheme.
Many veterans have already received free one-year passports to enable them to revisit battlefields in the 60th anniversary year of the D-Day landings.
Home Secretary David Blunkett announced earlier this year that this would be extended to cover everyone that played a part in the war effort.
Mr Blunkett, who today visited the Cabinet War Rooms in Whitehall, said: "The years of the Second World War were amongst the darkest in our nation's history. We must never forget the sacrifices made and bravery shown by the entire wartime generation.
"I want to thank and honour every adult who helped us defeat the Nazis and their allies - not just those in our brave armed forces, but those who played their part on the home front."
Brigadier Ian Townsend, Secretary General of the Royal British Legion, welcomed the move and said that it would enable all those who lived through the World War II to visit places liberated by the Allies.
(gmcg/mb)
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