FCDO Staffing

Question

Paying tribute to the Minister’s work, Tugendhat highlights the transformation in bilateral relationships due to Brexit and questions whether staff cuts are necessary. He argues that more people are needed now to achieve Britain's global ambitions as outlined by the integrated review.

Question

Hamilton criticises recent cuts to development aid and diplomatic staff, suggesting these undermine Britain's international influence. He questions whether the planned 10% cut is actually a 20% reduction and asks for clarification on regions affected by the cuts.

Question

Can we just remind ourselves that the UK diplomatic service is in fact part of our vital capability to maintain the competitive stance of this country around the world? The cost of the diplomatic service is a minute pinprick in the overall scheme of public expenditure, well within the margin for error of many other Government Departments’ expenditures. Why would we want to squeeze this capability when it is so vital for our global future?

Question

It should come as no surprise that there are reports that the FCDO is facing job cuts of up to 20%, although I have not yet heard from the Minister what those cuts will actually be. Over the past two years, the Prime Minister has frequently talked about global Britain, but the reality is that it has been nothing but a nasty little Britain.

Question

I welcome the assurances that the Minister has given, but speaking as one of the Prime Minister’s trade envoys, may I emphasise the important work that the FCDO contributes to the work of envoys not just through the briefings that it gives here in London, but in our embassies?

Question

I have a great many constituents with family members trapped in Afghanistan who are living in hiding and fearing for their lives. One family member writes: “It’s such a struggle to be here, we have no idea what to do…we are literally running out of everything and it’s getting cold”. Surely this is not the time to be considering cutting resources when we desperately need more action to help those left behind in Afghanistan and increasingly desperate when we know that the country faces a humanitarian crisis.

Question

I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Tonbridge and Malling (Tom Tugendhat) on securing his urgent question and thank the Minister for the Middle East and North Africa—my successor—for the reassurances that he has given. There can be little doubt, however, that over time, the FCDO has been diminished, although it remains formidable.

Question

I thank the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, the hon. Member for Tonbridge and Malling (Tom Tugendhat), for securing this urgent question. It is more than a year since my urgent question when the merger of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Development was announced.

Question

At a time when we see an increasingly aggressive China, a resurgent Russia and the United States’ strategic withdrawal from the world platform, it is important that we continue to project global Britain and our soft power around the world. When we restore our overseas aid budget to its previous level, we will need people to monitor that spending to make sure we get good value for money for taxpayers.

Question

The MP questions the Foreign Office's handling of a constituent’s case involving detention in Yemen, where other nations have successfully resolved similar issues. He asks for a commitment to prioritise this case.

Question

Raises Brazil's importance as a strategic ally due to its economic significance and historical support post-Brexit. Asks for further prioritisation of efforts in the country.

Question

Concerned about FCDO staff redundancies due to cuts at the British Council. Asks for details on measures to minimise job losses.

Question

Raises concerns about a 10% reduction in workforce size by March 2025, questioning the impact of aid cuts on local projects and staff who understand ground-level needs.

Question

Asks for details on where cuts will fall and what impact they will have, suggesting that the cuts are Treasury-driven.

Question

Praises FCDO staff for their courteous and helpful nature, suggesting a graduate scheme to support them during periods of high pressure.

Question

Concerned about morale issues among FCDO staff due to past mergers, salary cuts, and pension reductions. Asks how the Minister will support staff.