Fay Jones MP is calling on the Government to award UK citizenship to former Gurkhas as well as all non-UK soldiers.
Speaking during a Westminster Hall debate, Miss Jones challenged the Minister for Defence People and Veterans to deliver on plans to award indefinite leave to remain to foreign born soldiers. She made the calls as part of a debate in Westminster Hall on Gurkha pensions after a high-profile hunger strike earlier this year.
This is something the Government is considering. Under draft plans, service personnel from non-UK nations could be offered indefinite leave to remain in the UK for free. If approved, non-UK service personnel would be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain, subject to eligibility criteria, after serving at least 12 years in HM Armed Forces.
During the debate, Ms Jones told MPs of the importance of the Gurkha community to Brecon and Radnorshire. She highlighted the twinned towns of Brecon and Dhampus in Newport as strong evidence of the significant relationship and deep-rooted affection for the Gurkhas.
The hunger strike in Downing Street attracted significant attention to a long-standing problem with Gukrha pensions. Since 2007 Gurkhas have served on the same basis as the remainder of the British Army however there are a small number of Gurkhas who receive a pension under a previous scheme which was designed to be drawn in Nepal where costs of living are different. Only 150 pre-2007 pensions are drawn in the UK – out of over 20,000.
Ms Jones told the debate that while the hunger strike was “hard to watch”, she pointed to the Government’s decision to increase Gurkha pensions by £15 million in 2019.
Speaking after the debate, Ms Jones said:
“I was delighted to take part in the debate on Gurkha pensions. The Gurkhas are incredibly special to me and to everyone in Brecon and Radnorshire. Those who I have met tell me how much they love living in Wales because it reminds them so much of Nepal.
It is right that we recognise the sacrifice made by Gurkhas, and other non-UK nationals by serving in the Armed Forces. Of course, their applications should be stringently assessed, but there should be no charge for non UK soldiers who retire after their service. I want to see the Government waive visa fees for non UK soldiers as early as possible and I will continue to urge the Minister to make this change.”
Notes: Fay’s speech can be read in full on Hansard:
