Gurkhas in the UK, who retired from service before July 1997, receive their pensions from the Gurkha Pension Scheme, which is based on the Indian Army Model and falls short of that received by their British counterparts.
Gurkha soldiers have served our country since 1815 with distinction and have been awarded no less than twenty-six Victoria Crosses and two George Crosses. The disparity in their pensions seems unfair given the significant contribution these Gurkhas have made to our country and it is only right they are afforded the same quality of retirement enjoyed by British troops.
I was pleased, therefore, to present a petition at Downing Street, along with the Mayor of Dartford, Cllr Rosanna Currans, Armed Forces Champion, Cllr Peter Whapshott, Corporal Kul Bahadur Ghale and Corporal Tilak Rai, asking that urgent consideration be given to uprating the pensions of all Gurkhas who retired before 1997 so they can receive the recognition and dignity they deserve.