THE Leaders of all three political groups on Cambridgeshire County Council are backing a campaign to secure better immigration rights and pensions for Gurkha soldiers who served in the British Army. Over the last 200 years, approximately 300,000 Gurkhas s

THE Leaders of all three political groups on Cambridgeshire County Council are backing a campaign to secure better immigration rights and pensions for Gurkha soldiers who served in the British Army.

Over the last 200 years, approximately 300,000 Gurkhas served with the UK forces during times of war and peace, with around 45,000 being either killed or wounded.

Four years ago the Government announced a change to immigration rules which placed restrictions on some ex Gurkha soldiers who wanted to settle in the United Kingdom with their families.

A campaign to lift these restrictions has been launched and it has now won the backing of the Leader of the Cambridgeshire County Council's Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Labour Groups.

Letters supporting the campaign, signed by Councillor Jill Tuck (Conservative Leader of the Council); Councillor David Jenkins (Liberal Democrat Leader) and Councillor Paul Sales (Labour Leader), have now been sent to Cambridgeshire MPs asking them to raise the issue in Parliament and to campaign on behalf of the former Gurkha soldiers affected by the restrictions.

Councillor Tuck, on behalf of the three Group Leaders, said: "The campaign to lift the restrictions and to give equal immigration rights to all former Gurkha soldiers has the unanimous support of all three political groups on the county council.

"We have now sent a letter to the Cambridgeshire MPs urging them to do everything they can to back this very worthwhile campaign. Gurkha soldiers have given exceptional service on behalf of the UK for almost 200 years and they are thoroughly deserving of our support.