Armed Forces Minister Mark Lancaster has announced an increased support package for 22,000 Gurkha veterans and their families
Veterans of the Brigade of Gurkhas, who joined before 2007, will benefit from a £15 million (रु2.2-billion Nepali Rupees) increase in the Gurkha Pension Scheme. This announcement comes after years of campaigning by organisations and Nepalese community groups, including from Aldershot's Member of Parliament Leo Docherty, who has repeatedly raised this issue in the House of Commons and with Ministers directly since his election in 2017.
Whilst the increased remuneration will vary depending on an individual’s circumstances, veterans could receive increases of up to 34% extra in their pensions and with the increases being backdated to 1 January 2016 this means Gurkha pensioners will receive a total of £46-million (रु6.7-billion Nepali Rupees) extra this financial year. Alongside the increased pensions, the MOD is also announcing today a new £25-million (रु3.6-billion Nepali Rupees) investment, over the next ten years, for medical support for veterans living in Nepal.
This new investment will be delivered in partnership with the Gurkha Welfare Trust, a charity which provides a range of support to Gurkha veterans in Nepal, including via a series of regional healthcare facilities.
Commenting, Leo said:
"I have been fighting for increased Gurkha pensions since I was elected to the House of Commons in 2017. I am delighted that the Government have now done the right thing by increasing Gurkha pensions by up to 34% and investing £25m in support for Gurkha veterans in Nepal. This reflects the tremendous sacrifice, bravery and sacrifice of the Brigade of Gurkhas over many years.
"The veterans, who all joined the Brigade of Gurkhas before 2007, will benefit from a £15 million (रु2.2bn Nepali Rupees) increase in the Gurkha Pension Scheme. While the increased remuneration will vary depending on an individual’s circumstances, veterans could receive increases of up to 34% extra in their pensions. These increases will be backdated to 1st January 2016 and mean Gurkha pensioners will receive a total of £46m (रु6.7bn Nepali Rupees) extra this financial year.
"Alongside the increased pensions, the Ministry of Defence also announced a new £25 million (रु3.6bn Nepali Rupees) investment, over the next ten years, for medical support for veterans living in Nepal. This new investment will be delivered in partnership with the Gurkha Welfare Trust, a charity which provides a range of support to Gurkha veterans in Nepal, including via a series of regional healthcare facilities.
"This pension increase, alongside long-term funding for healthcare support in Nepal, will make a real difference to the lives of Gurkha veterans and their families."
Leo pictured with members of The Queen's Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment