Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that retired Gurkhas and their families settled in the UK have access to adequate welfare support and advice.

The Ministry of Defence is determined to ensure that veterans who require help are provided with appropriate support including through the Veterans UK helpline.

In addition to the support offered to all former personnel and their families by Veterans UK, former Gurkhas and their families can utilise the support offered by the Gurkha Welfare Advice Centres based in Salisbury and Aldershot. The purpose of the centres is to assist in the coordination of benevolence and welfare for retired Gurkhas in the UK by working closely with Government Departments, Service charities and other agencies in order to support those in need. More detail can be found at:

http://www.army.mod.uk/gurkhas/27785.aspx

As announced in January 2015, the Government awarded £960,000 through the Armed Forces Covenant Veterans' Accommodation Fund to Gurkha Homes Limited to provide 32 homes for Gurkha veterans.