Local MP Katy Clark has written to the Home Secretary to help secure the rights of Gurkhas to live and work in the United Kingdom. Under the current law only Gurkhas who retired after 1997 are allowed to settle in the United Kingdom. In September 2008 the High Court ruled this as unlawful and advised that the Government should conduct review all the immigration cases of Gurkhas within three months. Recently it has been reported the Government may apply for an extension of another three months to further consider the matter.

The MP for North Ayrshire and Arran said, “There are currently thousands of Gurkhas who served in our armed forces and contributed to our economy with their tax and national insurance contributions who are unable to live and work in the United Kingdom. Many are living in poverty in the UK denied the right to any form of benefit support. Like many of my constituents I feel strongly about the issue and want to see a fair and just solution reached as swiftly as possible with all Gurkhas given the right to live and work in the United Kingdom.”

“In light of the recent reports that the Government is seeking to delay their decision on Gurkhas’ rights to settlement I have written to the Home Secretary asking her not to allow for any more delay and to see justice for those who served in our armed forces.”

The local MP has signed Early Day Motion 1 in Parliament which calls on the Government to introduce legislation to grant those who left the Army before 1997 the same rights of residence in the UK as those who have left since 1997.