Good News For The Chagossians. For Twice.

Following on from this story, some genuine good news:

EXILED islanders who came to Crawley last year in the hope of starting a new life are entitled to claim benefits dating back to October, a court has ruled.

The group originate from the Chagos Island of Diego Garcia, but were moved to Mauritius after their homeland was made into a military airbase by UK governments in the 1970s.

They hold British passports but until now have been refused access to the benefits system because they are not "habitually resident" in the UK.

The ruling was overturned on Monday last week after the group appealed at a judicial hearing in London.

It means that new arrivals from Mauritius, where more of the islanders are living, can claim job seekers' allowance and housing benefits while they look for work.

Diego Garcia community leader, Allen Vincatassin, said the ruling was fantastic news for the Diego Garcian community. "This is a very big step forward.

"Those who aren't working at the minute are entitled to benefits," he said.

Link via the UK Chagos Support Association (who are also now linking to my recent article on the Chagossians, which is nice of them).