All ex-British Gurkha servicemen and their widows will receive an increase of 12 percent on their current pension with effect from 1 April this year, an announcement by the British government said this week. "The latest increase is above the rate of inflation in Nepal and demonstrates the British government's continued commitment and concern for the welfare of its ex-servicemen in Nepal," said the British Embassy in Kathmandu. Since the 100 percent increase to British Gurkha pensions in 2000, the annual pension increase each year has been over 10 percent, which has ensured British pensions have kept pace with the cost of living in Nepal, the statement said.