Gurkha Campaign forces Government review of pensions (Shepway Liberal Democrats)

Gurkha Campaign forces Government review of pensions

February 21, 2007 4:33 PM

Bev Rolfe, Toby Philpott, Peter Carroll and Lynne Beaumont with Gurkha Welfare banner on recent London march

The Gurkha justice petition on the Government e-petition web site closed last week with over 5,000 on-line signatures, and in response the Government has announced they are reviewing the arrangements for Gurkhas who left the army after July 1997.

The announcement has given new hope to local campaigners such as Peter Carroll who have been involved in the campaign for many years. In response to the petition, the Government told petitioners that:

"A wide ranging review of the terms and conditions of service for Gurkhas (GTACOS) is being conducted to ensure that they remain fair in the light of the changing role and status of the Brigade of Gurkhas and the personal aspirations of its members. Any differences from the wider Army must continue to be reasonable and justifiable.

"Traditionally Gurkhas, as Nepalese citizens, have retired to Nepal after their service and the Gurkha Pension Scheme provides pensions that represent a good income in Nepal. Nearly all Gurkha servicemen complete at least 15 years service, which earns them an immediate pension for life, and beyond that for their close dependants.

"The review of GTACOS includes pay and pensions and is considering whether the pension package should be revised to take account of the trend, resulting from the change to the immigration rules in 2004, for ex-Gurkhas to settle in UK rather than Nepal.

"The review is not looking at the pensions and benefits for those who have already retired, which we maintain are fair and provide for a good standard of living in Nepal. They have been demonstrated to be justifiable, including in a Judicial Review and subsequent High Court Appeal, in 2003.

"Exceptionally, however, we are looking again at the arguments for changing the arrangements for those Gurkhas who left the Army on or after 1 July 1997. 1 July 1997 was the date when the Gurkhas became a UK-based force on completion of the withdrawal from Hong Kong.

"An announcement about the outcome of the review will be made in due course."

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