First research findings on Gurkha settlement and integration process in UK

From The Univeristy of Kent: The first ever study on Gurkha settlement and their integration process in the UK has revealed that working age Gurkhas are the most economically active and self-reliant social group in Britain.

They are also outward-looking and actively seek advice before making important decisions, with almost 80% considering proficiency in English and having children in education, employment and training as most important. Seventy-one percent are involved in voluntary work in their communities.

The South East Strategic Partnership for Migration-funded study was conducted by researcher Nina Gurung at the University of Kent's School of Social Policy, Sociology & Social Research, who surveyed 100 Gurkha men and women from Kent and the borough of Rushmoor, which covers the towns of Aldershot and Farnborough. These two areas have the largest Gurkha settlements in the UK.

The study has also shown that: employment rates among Gurkha males and females are extraordinarily high with 95.1% for under 60s males and 92.6% for under 60s females; 92.5% of males and 61.3% of females are in full-time work; 87.5% of males and 77.5% of females travel away from resident area to their place of work; 8.8% of males and 1.3% of females are self-employed or are an employer (with the highest number of jobs created by Gurkha employers being 370); and that 40% of Gurkhas are accessing education or and skills improvement training (44%).

Despite their recent (since 2004) settlement in the UK, Gurkha home ownership rate stands at 56%, while many others rent privately. Reliance on housing benefit is mostly confined to older veterans due to low income. 80% of over 60s were on pension credits.

Nina Gurung explained that since Gurkha settlement began, Gurkha clusters are now emerging in the UK, with affordable housing and neighbourhood safety the important factors when choosing a settlement area.

She said: 'Most Gurkhas are settled in mainly British areas (55%) and some in mixed Nepalese and British areas (27%). Most Kent-based Gurkhas live in mainly British areas. The main universal services accessed by Gurkhas are health services (100%) and children's education services (75%); in large Gurkha settlement areas, this is likely to put pressure on relevant service providers.'

Of the barriers to Gurkha integration, Nina discovered that these were: little knowledge about local community support providers (91%); access to adult education (70%); access to local leisure activities/facilities (63%); and information on children's education, employment and training (78%).

There was 4% NEET (not in employment, education or training) population amongst Gurkha children.

Nina concluded: 'These are important findings that could significantly help inform Gurkha settlement and integration policy-making process.'