Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Gurkha Pension Disparity And Parity

22 November 2021 · 0 other contributors · 899 words

Opened by Leo Docherty Con Aldershot

Responding minister: Not recorded

Veterans

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Leo Docherty raised concerns about gurkha pension disparity and parity in Westminster Hall. Response awaited from government.

Key points

  • Concerns raised about disparity in pension benefits for Gurkha veterans who served prior to 1997.
  • Government Actuary's Department calculated that a Gurkha private soldier with 15 years' service retiring in 1998 would receive a lifetime value of 179,000 compared to 114,000 for their British counterpart.
  • Urgent call for government to ensure Gurkha veterans receive equivalent lifetime benefits as non-Gurkha counterparts under the Armed Forces Pension Scheme 1975.

Key requests to Government

I urge the government to address the issue of pension disparity by ensuring that Gurkha veterans receive equivalent lifetime benefits as their non-Gurkha counterparts under the Armed Forces Pension Scheme 1975.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Leo Docherty Con Aldershot

I am concerned about the disparity in pension benefits for Gurkha veterans who enlisted and served prior to 1997. There are currently 20,681 Gurkha veterans receiving the 1948 Gurkha pension scheme, comprising of 13,289 former service personnel and 7,382 widows. The Government Actuary's Department has calculated that a private soldier with 15 years' service retiring in 1998 on the 1948 Gurkha pension scheme would receive a lifetime value of £179,000 compared to £114,000 for their British counterpart. This disparity highlights the need for parity and equal treatment.

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