This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/8023882.stm

The article has changed 27 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
MPs urged to change Gurkha rules MPs urged to change Gurkha rules
(about 6 hours later)
MPs are to debate the government's decision to limit the number of Gurkha veterans allowed to settle in the UK.MPs are to debate the government's decision to limit the number of Gurkha veterans allowed to settle in the UK.
The Liberal Democrats, who have put forward a parliamentary motion calling for an easing of the rules, are urging Labour MPs to vote against ministers.The Liberal Democrats, who have put forward a parliamentary motion calling for an easing of the rules, are urging Labour MPs to vote against ministers.
Some 36,000 former Gurkhas have been denied residency because they served in the British army before 1997.Some 36,000 former Gurkhas have been denied residency because they served in the British army before 1997.
The government insists changes made to residency rules last week will allow an extra 4,300 to settle in the UK.The government insists changes made to residency rules last week will allow an extra 4,300 to settle in the UK.
But one Labour MP has warned that the government may face an "embarrassing defeat" on the issue.
Immigration regulations introduced in 2004 allowed serving Gurkhas with at least four years' service to move to the UK.Immigration regulations introduced in 2004 allowed serving Gurkhas with at least four years' service to move to the UK.
However, they do not apply to those discharged from the Army before 1 July 1997, when their base relocated from Hong Kong to Folkestone, Kent.However, they do not apply to those discharged from the Army before 1 July 1997, when their base relocated from Hong Kong to Folkestone, Kent.
ConditionsConditions
The High Court ruled last year that the government policy on older veterans was unlawful and in need of urgent review.The High Court ruled last year that the government policy on older veterans was unlawful and in need of urgent review.
Last week the Home Office responded, saying Gurkhas who left service before 1997 and wanting to come to the UK should meet criteria involving long service, bravery medals and medical conditions caused by service in the brigade.Last week the Home Office responded, saying Gurkhas who left service before 1997 and wanting to come to the UK should meet criteria involving long service, bravery medals and medical conditions caused by service in the brigade.
The Lib Dems, who say this does not go far enough, have secured a debate on the issue in the House of Commons on Wednesday.The Lib Dems, who say this does not go far enough, have secured a debate on the issue in the House of Commons on Wednesday.
This completely disgraceful decision does a great disservice to the brave Gurkha soldiers who have willingly risked their lives for this country Martin Salter, Labour MPThis completely disgraceful decision does a great disservice to the brave Gurkha soldiers who have willingly risked their lives for this country Martin Salter, Labour MP
Leader Nick Clegg said the government was ignoring basic principles, adding: "People who are prepared to fight and die for our country should be entitled to live here.Leader Nick Clegg said the government was ignoring basic principles, adding: "People who are prepared to fight and die for our country should be entitled to live here.
"Yet even this basic principle is broken by this out of touch and morally bankrupt government.""Yet even this basic principle is broken by this out of touch and morally bankrupt government."
Home affairs select committee members from across the parties have tabled a separate Commons motion attacking the "unnecessarily restrictive, morally wrong and offensive" restrictions which excluded all but officers. The Conservatives have confirmed they will support the Lib Dem motion while some Labour MPs who disagree with the government's position may also back it.
Among them is Labour's Martin Salter, who said: "This completely disgraceful decision does a great disservice to the brave Gurkha soldiers who have willingly risked their lives for this country. Home affairs select committee members from across the parties have tabled a separate motion attacking the "unnecessarily restrictive, morally wrong and offensive" restrictions although this is unlikely to be voted on.
"They are being told, in effect, that as far as the government is concerned, they are worth less than other foreign nationals who only have to serve four years before they can apply for settlement rights in the UK." Among them is Labour's Martin Salter, who said the government's arguments were "fundamentally flawed".
"They are hard working people who paid their taxes and paid their way," he said of the Gurkhas.
He added: "Ministers need to show leadership and a willingness to listen to avoid an embarrassing defeat."
Fellow Labour MP Kim Howells, who said he had not decided which way to vote, told the BBC's Daily Politics that the rules needed to be changed to make it easier for more Gurkhas to settle in the UK.
'Massive pressure''Massive pressure'
However, he warned against the dangers of decisions which suggested there was an "open door" policy on immigration.
A Downing Street spokesman said: "We recognise that there is a good deal of interest in these cases. We have already made changes to the guidelines as called for by the court."A Downing Street spokesman said: "We recognise that there is a good deal of interest in these cases. We have already made changes to the guidelines as called for by the court."
The changes would apply to 4,000 Gurkhas and their dependants, he insisted.The changes would apply to 4,000 Gurkhas and their dependants, he insisted.
Immigration Minister Phil Woolas said last week that letting all 36,000 Gurkhas in to the UK would lead to "massive pressure" on the immigration service.Immigration Minister Phil Woolas said last week that letting all 36,000 Gurkhas in to the UK would lead to "massive pressure" on the immigration service.
But campaigners claim fewer than 100 of the Nepalese soldiers will benefit from the Home Office's changes to the rules.But campaigners claim fewer than 100 of the Nepalese soldiers will benefit from the Home Office's changes to the rules.
Protesters are expected to gather at Westminster, among them actress Joanna Lumley, whose father served in the Gurkha regiment.Protesters are expected to gather at Westminster, among them actress Joanna Lumley, whose father served in the Gurkha regiment.