The Home Secretary has announced that Gurkhas will have the right to settle in the UK.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith announced today (21 May) that all ex-Gurkhas who have served for more than four years in the British Army, and who retired before 1997, will now have the right to settle in the UK.

This decision has been supported by the majority of ICM’s online news readers, who have voted in the Institute’s online poll – 94% believed that Gurkha veterans should be eligible for UK residency, with only 4% voting against the idea and 1% not sure.

Making the announcement in the House of Commons, Ms. Smith said: “I expect to be able to welcome the applications and their families over the course of the next two years…there should be no time limit on these applications. Former Gurkhas should be entitled to bring with them their spouses and dependent children under the age of 18.”

On the Gurkha Justice Campaign website, celebrity Joanna Lumley welcomed the news after months of campaigning: “After such a long fight, with huge ups and downs, this a superb achievement. The Government has now responded to that campaign after court cases, votes in Parliament, a huge media campaign and, most importantly, massive public support.

“The whole campaign has been based on the belief that those who have fought and been prepared to die for our country should have the right to live in our country. We owe them a debt of honour – a debt that will now be paid.”

The decision will ensure that around 36,000 Gurkhas will now be able to apply for UK residency.