Gurkha Justice Campaign

This morning I was privileged to be invited to the launch of the British Gurkhas Ex-Serviceman Assocation campaign for justice held at the Wycliffe Church in East Reading.

I have been involved with Reading Gurkhas through my colleague Tilehurst Lib Dem Cllr Peter Beard who helped set up the Forgotten British Gurkha charity.

Although Gurkhas were granted indefinite leave to remain following the campaign led by Joanna Lumley and supported by Nick Clegg they currently do not have full British citizenship and associated rights i.e. pension rights.

We heard at the meeting that on a visit to Reading David Cameron pledged to act but that since then he has done nothing.

I was asked to say a few words at the meeting and I  promised to take up the matter with Nick Harvey MP, Lib Dem Armed Services Minister and Nick Clegg MP.

The Association launched a nationwide petition today that I have signed. The launch was attended by former Conservative councillor Tom Steele and Cllr Rob White, leader of the Green Party.

I did not see any local Labour councillors at the meeting although Cllr Bet Tickner (Lead Councillor, Communities) was invited by the organisers.

Perhaps it was not one of her 'favourite' community groups.

This is a pity as the Nepalese community in Reading, comprising many ex-servicemen and their families is large and growing.

In recognition of this the Coalition administration of Reading Borough Council awarded grant funding to the Nepalese Community as part of the Council's grants to the voluntary sector. The first of it's kind.

I have requested that the issue of how we respond to the needs of migrant communities is added to the Council['s Internal Scrutiny Commission's list of issues to investigate.

Don't forget the Gurkhas!

This morning I was honoured to accept an invitation from my Lib Dem colleague Tilehurst Councillor Peter Beard, a Trustee of Reading-based charity 'The Forgotten British Gurkha' , to meet a group of Gurkhas currently living in Theale. Following the successful campaign last year for settlement rights led by Joanna Lumley, Nick Clegg and backed by Reading West MP Martin Salter to enable retired Gurkhas to live in the UK the latest battle the Gurkhas and their supporters are fighting is for decent housing and financial help to enable them to survive in the UK. They are also campaigning for equal pension rights as other British servicemen - at present the are only entitled to around one-third of the pension entitlement compared to other UK servicement which is grossly unfair.
Since the historic decision on settlement rights last year last year retired Gurkhas are arriving in the UK with nowhere to live and often very little money seeking a better life. Former Mayor of Reading Peter Beard has been working tirelessly alongside retired Gurkha Chandra Burathoki and the FBG welcoming Gurkhas and their families when they arrive at Heathrow and helping them find suitable housing in and around Reading. The charity recently worked with local councils housing bodies and were successful in helping Gurkhas and their families to move out of the cramped and overcrowded rented accomodation into homes provided by the James Butcher Housing Association in Theale. The charity is also working with Reading Borough Council's empty homes officer to see if empty homes can become much needed homes for Gurkhas and their families.
The Gurkhas I met in Theale today were very warm and friendly - it was a delight to meet them. During my visit I heard from Chandra Burathoki (who acts as liaison officer for the charity) about the difficulties faced by Gurkhas and their families many of whom cannot speak much English when they arrive in the UK and who struggle to navigate the complex UK benefit system. It can take several months for them to access benefits and finding work can be difficult due to the permits required. Chandra told me he accompanies Gurkhas and their families to the JobCentre and Council Offices to ensure they get the help they need. He is clearly a very special man. The charity is also helping the Gurkhas find employment and greater independence in the UK via social entreprise projects including contract work and community projects. I think this is a great way to support Gurkhas and their families.
The work done by the Forgotten British Gurkha charity is vitally important: since Gurkhas won resettlement rights last year it is estimated that up to 12,000 retired Gurkhas and their families may leave Nepal to settle in the UK. We must not forget the Gurkhas - an estimated 45,000 Gurkhas died fighting for Britain in the First and Second World Wars - the British government must honour the committment Gurkhas have given to this country and continue to support them.
Check out this video about the experience of Gurkhas in the Reading area and how the Forgotten British Gurkha charity helped Gurkhas families move into more suitable accomodation:

Lib Dem Empty Homes Campaign continues to open doors

Although I have my fair share of criticisms of Labour-run Reading Borough Council, every so often the Council gets it right.

Today is one of those days with news that the Council has clubbed together with local Reading-based charities the Reading Single Homeless Project and the Forgotten Gurkha (which is based in Eldon Square in my ward, Redlands) to try and turn empty housing into much-needed homes.

As Lib Dem housing spokesperson since 2006, I led the campaign to get RBC to bring in an empty homes strategy, and 2 years after it became Council policy the EHS continues to open doors for people who are desperately seeking housing.

My colleague Cllr Peter Beard, Lib Dem Councillor for Tilehurst actively campaigned to extend the rights of Gurkhas and their families when he was Mayor of Reading last year and is continuing to fight tirelessly alongside the Forgotton Gurkhas charity to help Gurkhas get better housing.

From RBC's press release:

"Property owners struggling to let their empty homes are being asked to work with local charities and Reading Borough Council to meet demand for housing.

As part of Reading's Empty Homes Strategy, the Council puts owners of empty homes in touch with people and agencies wishing to buy, lease or rent these properties.

Reading Single Homeless Project and The Forgotten British Gurkha are two organisations that have asked Reading Borough Council to help find much needed homes to buy or rent for their clients. "

The Council's Learning Disability team is also looking for homes to rent for its clients.

Do you own an empty property in Reading or know someone who does? Officers have said ideally, the properties should be family sized so that two or more people can live together and share the facilities.

Key contacts are as follows:

• To let your home to people with a learning disability via the Council, call Bryony Hall on 01189 390361.
• The Deposit Guarantee Scheme team is available on 0118 939 0233.
• The Reading Single Homeless Project contact is Ian Caren on (0118) 950 7656 or info@rshp.co.uk
• Paul Keddie is the contact at The Forgotten British Gurkha on (0845) 003 9958 or enquiries@theforgottenbritishgurkha.co.uk
• For details on empty homes in Reading, go to www.reading.gov.uk/housing/emptyhomes/ or call the empty homes officer on (0118) 9373091.