Farron calls on businesses to back forces discount scheme

Armed forces personnel, both past and present, across the UK are being offered support by a service that helps to give members of the forces community discounts in high street stores. South Lakes MP Tim Farron is urging businesses to sign up, and is urging past and present personnel to join.

Around 29,000 Defence Privilege Cards are in circulation. They allow service personnel, veterans, military spouses and widows to obtain a discount in stores taking part in the scheme.

Tim is encouraging Cumbrian businesses to offer a discount to help to support our armed forces and veterans by accepting the Defence Privilege Card in store. It is very simple for businesses to sign up to show their support and has no costs for signing up beyond the discount offered.

Tim said "This is a great opportunity for local businesses and services to not only provide something of value to service people as a way of thanking them for what they do on our behalf, but also a very shrewd move for businesses too."

The Defence Discount Service was launched in October last year and announced by Defence Secretary Philip Hammond. Prime Minister David Cameron then launched the privilege card in December. The Defence Discount Service now has more than 108,000 members. Cotswold Outdoor, Iceland, Vodafone, KFC and Burton are among businesses that have signed up.

The service is open to serving armed forces, veterans, spouses of serving personnel and the defence community. For full details of who can apply and to register for free visit their website www.defencediscountservice.co.uk.

If you are a business that would like to offer a discount and get behind our armed forces please visit www.defencediscountservice.co.uk/support or email them on: corporate@defencediscountservice.co.uk