To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what support for resettlement his Department plans to provide to Gurkhas being made redundant.

holding answer 23 January 2012

Gurkhas being made redundant will qualify for the same resettlement package as that available to all Army personnel. This includes financial related briefings covering budget and debt management, specialist housing advice, and advice on the importance of seeking medical help, including the ability to access mental health services should they feel it necessary. In addition, the UK Border Agency has agreed that Gurkhas can have their settlement applications to remain and work in the UK processed under special arrangements.

Further support is also available through the Career Transition Partnership (a partnership between the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and Right Management) through training courses; career transition workshops; employment and future career advice; assistance with curriculum vitae writing and job preparation; vocational training; and a job-search/recruitment facility.

As part of the special arrangements for redundancy all Army personnel, including Gurkhas, will receive the same level of graduated resettlement time (GRT) and training to which they would have been entitled had they completed their full commission or engagement. GRT is flexible time which may be used by personnel to complete resettlement activities such as training courses, civilian work attachments and other requirements including job and house hunting.