Roger Williams MP
The first session of the inquiry by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Gurkha Welfare into Gurkha pensions took place today. Roger Williams, Lib Dem MP for Brecon and Radnorshire, attended the first meeting, which is one of seven sessions that will be included by the beginning of April.
Commenting, Roger Williams MP said:
“I attended the first meeting of the inquiry into Ggurkha pensions. Gurkha conditions of service and pay have increased for the better over the last ten years, but those who served before 1997 have very small pensions compared to other soldiers in the British Army. All Gurkhas who have served more than four years have the right to live in Britain and so we have seen many quite elderly ex soldiers come to Brecon. Many of them are without younger members of their family being here. These Gurkha soldiers and their wives receive benefits, such as pension credit, housing benefit, council tax benefit and other age related benefits. However, there remains an unfairness that their service to the British Crown is not rewarded by a pension similar to that of other soldiers.
“The purpose of the inquiry will be to find out how many Gurkhas, both here and in Nepal, are receiving reduced pensions and how much it will cost the British Government to remedy that if it was thought to be appropriate. But we will also be looking at the effect of increasing pension of someone living in Britain, because their increased pension may result in them losing benefit and being no better off. This is a complex inquiry and we will be taking evidence from experts in Nepal-UK relations, people who have served with the Gurkhas, and representatives from the Ministry of Defence. We hope to have a debate in Parliament after we finish the inquiry and before we write the report. The first session was WELL attended by over 150 Gurkha men and women.“
