Gurkhas Return to Westminster: Fair Pensions for All Campaign Backed by Ming

5.30.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 28th Mar 2007

22,000 Gurkhas receive inadequate pensions and have no right to settle in the UK

Liberal Democrat Leader Menzies Campbell today met with a delegation of Gurkha veterans in Westminster, and backed their ongoing campaign for fairer pensions. Menzies Campbell called for an immediate review to deliver fairer pensions to the many Gurkha veterans on low pensions or no pension at all.

The Gurkha visit to Westminster today was accompanied by a number of Ashford's neighbouring Liberal Democrats from hepway including Peter Carroll. The Shepway Lib Dems have been long-standing supporters of the Gurkhas cause and it was Peter Carroll who introduced Ashford Liberal Democrat campaigner Chris Took to some of the many Gurkhas now living in Ashford.

Despite steps forward by the Government over the last two years in the face of a concerted campaign by Gurkhas and their supporters (including granting citizenship and increasing pensions for Gurkhas who ended their service after 1997), there remain serious problems with the current position:

22,000 veterans, who retired prior to 1997, receive inadequate pensions and have no right to settle in the UK

Most Gurkha veterans from World War II receive no pension at all

A rifleman who retired prior to 1997, paid in rupees, receives £1,185 per year

Menzies Campbell said:

"The Gurkhas have a unique place in the history and the affections of the British people.

"These soldiers have served our country well, and we have a moral obligation to give them a fair pension and British citizenship.

"It is shameful that there are 22,000 veterans, who retired before 1997, and who receive extremely low pensions or no pension at all. The MoD must review and rectify this situation immediately and all Gurkhas must receive a fair pension."