Gurkha Pensions And Public Expenditure

EDM number 434 in 2009-10, proposed by George Howarth on 10/12/2009.
Categorised under the topics of Pensions and Veterans.

That this House welcomes the settlement rights given to former Gurkha soldiers; notes that one serious inequality remains, as Gurkhas who served prior to 1997 still do not receive a fair and equal pension compared to their fellow Commonwealth soldiers; acknowledges that pre-1997 Gurkhas currently receive a pension worth approximately £2,150, which falls below the poverty line in the UK; understands that this has disillusioned many veterans, who now believe that UK residency is the only option to receive fair treatment financially; recognises that most Gurkhas in this minority would rather remain in Nepal; further notes that these veterans are entitled to claim up to £9,000 per annum in pension tax credit if they settle in the UK; further notes that this figure increases to approximately £20,000 if other welfare benefits are included; acknowledges that the Gurkhas are not demanding the backdating of any pension payments, but are calling for equal future pensions of approximately £5,000 per year; further acknowledges that the Ministry of Defence estimates the cost of future equal monthly pensions would cost £75 million a year compared to between £300 and £400 million a year to pay for the settlement policy in terms of welfare and healthcare provision on the basis that 10,000 to 15,000 applicants plus their dependants settle in the UK; understands that an equal and fair pension would create considerable cost saving for the government; and calls on the Government to consider giving all pre-1997 Gurkhas an equal and fair pension settlement.

This motion has been signed by a total of 54 MPs, 1 of these signatures have been withdrawn.