Gurkha Pensions Increased: To JUST over £130 a month

A "significant" 19% boost to Gurkha pensions announced by the Ministry of Defence only brings a standard Gurkha pension to £131 a month - described by Folkestone Gurkha Councillor Dhan Gurung as "a joke".

The increase, for those ranked as Corporal or below, is in addition to the annual inflationary 7% increase and is backdated to January 2006.

Dhan Gurung said:

"Despite what the Minister says the fact is that many of today's Gurkhas retire to England and for men who put their lives on the line for this country, a monthly payment of £131 is nothing to live on here.

"It's a joke, totally unacceptable and unjust."

In a written statement to MPs on 19th July, junior defence minister Derek Twigg said: "I am pleased to inform the House that there will be a significant increase in Gurkha pensions backdated to January 2006.

"The increase is in line with the tripartite agreement which established a linkage between Indian Army pensions and those of the British Brigade of Gurkhas."

The decision, which will apply to around 26,500 Gurkha pensioners mainly living in Nepal. The Gurkha pension scheme currently costs some £33 million a year and it is calculated that the increase will add a further £6 million.