Judicial Review of Gurkha Pensions at the Royal Court of Justice
London, 27 October 2009

Welcoming the British government’s recent decision to allow all ex-Gurkha soldiers, who have completed four years of service in the British Army, to settle in the UK, the British Gurkha Welfare Society claims that the time has come for the British government to end what it calls ‘historic discrimination’ against Gurkha soldiers in terms of pension and benefits. The Royal Court of Justice in London is to conduct a hearing on 27th October 2009 on a number of cases filed by ex-Gurkhas related to pension issues. No legal aid was available to fight the pension case, therefore Gurkhas have had to pull together sizeable legal costs to fight for their rights.

Besides pursuing legal measures, the British Gurkha Welfare Society (BGWS) is lobbying British MPs in its fight for equal rights. A total of 94 MPs from major political parties of the UK had supported the ‘Early Day Motion 1726 on Gurkha Pensions’ so far. The motion was tabled by George Howarth MP on 23 June 2009. The pensions difference is huge claims the BGWS - it ranges between the current £290 per month being paid to Gurkhas to a potential £1400 per month that other retired soldiers are entitled to. As a result, Gurkhas often have to supplement their pension by doing security jobs to make ends meet.

About the British Gurkha Welfare Society

The British Gurkha Welfare Society (BGWS) is the the largest organisation of ex-Gurkhas now based in the UK. Suryaparsad Upadhya is the BGWS Executive Representative on the national Hindu Council UK.