Call to end Gurkha 'injustices'

SURREY MPs are calling on the Government to take “urgent action” to address the “longstanding injustice” faced by Gurkha veterans in relation to their pensions.

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Helen Maguire, the MP for Epsom and Ewell as well as Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Defence, wrote to the new Minister for Veterans, joined by 46 of her Lib Dem colleagues, demanding “urgent action” to address the “injustices” faced by Gurkha veterans who served in the British Army prior to 1997.

The letter says approximately 25,000 Gurkha veterans who retired before 1997 continue to receive pensions based on Indian Army rates, “significantly lower” than those of their British counterparts.

It goes on to suggest that those “outdated pensions fail to reflect the high cost of living in the UK”, leaving many Nepalese veterans “facing financial hardship”.

Ms Maguire said: “The Gurkhas have shown extraordinary courage and dedication in service to the United Kingdom, it is shameful that so many are still denied fair pensions.