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Gurkhas' terms 'to be improved' | Gurkhas' terms 'to be improved' |
(30 minutes later) | |
The Ministry of Defence is expected to announce improvements to the working terms and conditions of Gurkhas serving in the British army. | The Ministry of Defence is expected to announce improvements to the working terms and conditions of Gurkhas serving in the British army. |
It is believed Defence Minister Derek Twigg will say that the Nepalese troops are to receive full pensions. | It is believed Defence Minister Derek Twigg will say that the Nepalese troops are to receive full pensions. |
The level of pension awarded to them is currently at least six times lower than British soldiers and campaigners say many former Gurkhas are left destitute. | The level of pension awarded to them is currently at least six times lower than British soldiers and campaigners say many former Gurkhas are left destitute. |
The government announced a review of Gurkhas' conditions two years ago. | The government announced a review of Gurkhas' conditions two years ago. |
Pay and pensions for Gurkhas has been reformed in part in the past, but those who left the service before July 1997 have not benefited. | Pay and pensions for Gurkhas has been reformed in part in the past, but those who left the service before July 1997 have not benefited. |
Pensions for Gurkhas, which currently stand at an average of £984 a year, have historically been awarded according to the standard of living in their homeland. | |
But campaigners say the unequal arrangements have brought economic hardship to many former Gurkhas. | But campaigners say the unequal arrangements have brought economic hardship to many former Gurkhas. |
'Justifiable differences?' | 'Justifiable differences?' |
They have marched to Downing Street calling for their pensions to be "proportionate" to those of their British colleagues, who receive more than £6,000 a year. | |
In January 2005, the then Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon said there would be a review of pay, pensions and accommodation amid public criticism of disparities. | In January 2005, the then Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon said there would be a review of pay, pensions and accommodation amid public criticism of disparities. |
He told MPs that the study would decide whether differences in Gurkhas' terms and conditions were "absolutely justifiable". | He told MPs that the study would decide whether differences in Gurkhas' terms and conditions were "absolutely justifiable". |
"We want to ensure that the MoD's position, both legally and morally, is beyond reproach," he said. | "We want to ensure that the MoD's position, both legally and morally, is beyond reproach," he said. |
Mr Twigg's statement on Thursday comes a day after the launch of a trade union for Commonwealth soldiers serving in the Army. | Mr Twigg's statement on Thursday comes a day after the launch of a trade union for Commonwealth soldiers serving in the Army. |
It was formed amid complaints of widespread racism, unfair treatment and a lack of welfare support, all of which were denied by the MoD. | It was formed amid complaints of widespread racism, unfair treatment and a lack of welfare support, all of which were denied by the MoD. |
There are currently about 3,500 Gurkhas serving in the Army and close to 20,000 former soldiers living in Britain and Nepal. |