Question
The 2009 Gurkha justice campaign, spearheaded by Joanna Lumley, achieved settlement rights for British Army Gurkha veterans, and my understanding is that many progressed to settlement here by virtue of the access to indefinite leave to remain. Will the Home Secretary reassure the House that none of these changes will adversely affect the ability of those heroes to settle in the UK when they retire?
Answer
Yes, as I said in response to my hon. Friend the Member for Swindon North (Will Stone), Gurkhas will have settlement under the armed forces rules, which are entirely exempt and different from earned settlement.
Verdict: GREEN (88/100)
The question asked for confirmation that changes to the earned settlement rules would not affect Gurkhas' ability to settle in the UK on retirement. The reply confirms this directly and explains the reason: Gurkhas settle under the armed forces rules, which are exempt from earned settlement and operate differently. Because the answer is specific and committed, the person who asked is likely to have what they need without a follow-up.
How we got there
| Question item | Coverage | Specificity | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Will the Home Secretary confirm that the changes under consideration will not adversely affect the ability of Gurkha veterans to settle in the UK when they retire? | Addressed | Direct | The reply answers 'Yes' to the confirmation requested, and names a concrete mechanism: Gurkhas will settle under the armed forces rules, which are exempt from and different to earned settlement, so the changes should not affect their ability to settle on retirement. |