NEW courses to provide language training for the newly-arrived families of former Gurkha soldiers will “greatly help them” to integrate into society, according to one veteran.

Last week Barnet College announced it had won funding, along with three other institutions in the country, to provide English as a second language courses to families of former Gurkhas.

Barnet, Brent and Harrow have one of the largest concentrations of Nepalese families in the country, with more settling there after a landmark court ruling last year giving the ex-soldiers the right to live in the UK.

On Friday, dozens of Nepalese families attended a community day at North End Community Centre, in Burnt Oak Broadway, where they were given information from a range of people on integration, job opportunities and health.

One speaker, Gary Ghale, a former Gurkha who now works for a welfare group for veterans, said: “I think it will greatly help these families to settle here.

“It will give them more confidence when they are out in the street and help them to integrate more and also find better jobs rather than just menial positions.”

Shahin Khan, who runs the courses for Barnet College, said it was a “fantastic opportunity” for the college and the community, adding: “It's about serving the local community and their needs.”

Hendon MP Matthew Offord also addressed the group, and praised the veterans for their service to the British Army and the order allowing them to stay.

He also pledged to keep putting pressure on the Government over pension payments to the veterans.

Lachhya Gurung, the chairman of the Burnt Oak Nepalese Community, organised the event, the first of its type in the area.

He said: “It's been a very good day, we had a good turnout considering it's a Friday. It's the first time we've done something like this and we will be doing it again, it's been very useful.”