Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Gurkha veterans who served prior to 2007 receive pension benefits lower than those received by British Army personnel with equivalent rank and length of service.

The Government greatly values the exceptional and longstanding contribution made by Gurkha soldiers to the United Kingdom. Since 2007, Gurkhas have received the same pension under the Armed Forces Pension Scheme as the rest of the UK Armed Forces. For those who served prior to 2007, for the large majority, the 1948 Gurkha Pension Scheme provides a pension at least as good, and in many cases better, than that given to their British counterparts with identical periods of service.

Whilst Defence recognises that the position on historic Gurkha pension arrangements is a source of grievance for some members of the Gurkha community, it should be noted that both the Government and Courts consider that the arrangements are fair and were designed to reflect the context of the period during which scheme was open. In addition, a key principle for public service pensions, maintained by governments over many decades is that no retrospective improvements are made to pensions in payment. To do so would mean that improvements of any kind would become unaffordable for Government.

While we are unable to change the terms of the Gurkha Pension Scheme, I am committed to listening to concerns directly and exploring alternative ways to meet the welfare needs of the Gurkha veteran community, both in the UK and Nepal. On 16 December 2025, I met with officials from the Government of Nepal and representatives of the G10 to discuss Gurkha welfare issues. These discussions reinforced the strong and ongoing collaboration between the Ministry of Defence and the Gurkha veteran community. I have asked officials to meet again with Gurkha representatives early this year, and I look forward to continuing dialogue with the Government of Nepal in the spring.