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FCDO Staffing
16 December 2021
Lead MP
James Cleverly
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
EmploymentBrexitForeign AffairsBusiness & Trade
Other Contributors: 17
At a Glance
James Cleverly raised concerns about fcdo staffing in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
The Minister of State for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office begins by confirming that there will not be a 10% staff cut to the FCDO. He emphasises ongoing investment in overseas aid at £10 billion this year, making the UK one of the largest ODA spenders in the world and well above the OECD average. The FCDO is committed to promoting a positive global Britain through diplomacy and development, supporting freedom, democracy, and sustainable enterprise worldwide. Over the next three years, staffing resources will be aligned with national priorities, with increases in some areas reflecting these needs. The Department aims to maintain its extensive overseas diplomatic network while ensuring value for money.
Thomas Tugendhat
Con
Tonbridge
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.
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledges the value of FCDO personnel in delivering diplomacy and development but emphasises the need for changes aligned with national priorities, as set out in the integrated review.
Fabian Hamilton
Lab
Leeds North East
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.
Minister reply
The Minister reiterates that there will not be a 10% staff cut. He acknowledges reduced ODA spending due to pandemic-induced economic contraction but asserts continued leadership in global affairs, citing events like G7 Foreign Ministers meeting and COP26.
Bernard Jenkin
Con
Harwich and North Essex
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?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend makes an incredibly important and accurate point about the value that our diplomatic network and our diplomats around that network provide. We are all incredibly proud of the level of expertise of the FCDO staff, and I know the Foreign Secretary has said this to them directly.
Chris Law
SNP
Dundee Central
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.
Minister reply
Once again the hon. Gentleman throws around the figure of 20% staff cuts. I can tell him that it is nonsense. The UK remains a top-tier global diplomatic powerhouse.
Martin Vickers
Con
Brigg and Immingham
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?
Minister reply
I thank my hon. Friend for his comments. When I visit our posts around the world—I around my region—I am incredibly pleased to see the seamless integration of various Departments that are represented on those platforms.
Lilian Greenwood
Lab
Nottingham South
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.
Minister reply
The situation in Afghanistan remains terrible, which is why we have doubled our financial support to it, for the very reasons that the hon. Lady highlighted.
Andrew Murrison
Con
South West Wiltshire
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.
Minister reply
I thank my right hon. Friend and predecessor for that point. Diplomacy and the nature of international relations are changing.
Wendy Chamberlain
Lib Dem
North East Fife
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.
Minister reply
As I have said a number of times, the decisions about the future structure, prioritisation and orientation of the Department will be made by Ministers in due course and the details will come out in the new year.
Bob Blackman
Con
Harrow East
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.
Minister reply
My hon. Friend makes the important case that we need to ensure our aid is spent effectively.
Kevin Brennan
Lab
Cardiff West
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.
Minister reply
Acknowledges the difficulty in dealing with the Houthis and assures that the case remains a priority for the Department, including efforts made during his recent trip to Oman.
Marco Longhi
Con
Bermondsey and Old Southwark
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.
Minister reply
Agrees on the importance of the bilateral relationship with Brazil, highlighting the country’s size, economy, agriculture, and environmental impact.
Chris Stephens
SNP
Glasgow South West
Question
Concerned about FCDO staff redundancies due to cuts at the British Council. Asks for details on measures to minimise job losses.
Minister reply
Acknowledges the impact of covid on tuition income and discusses efforts with senior leadership to protect valuable services.
Fleur Anderson
Lab
Putney
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.
Minister reply
Clarifies that internal planning figures do not represent ministerial decisions. Emphasises prioritising bilateral projects for poverty reduction and peace-building.
Rachael Maskell
Lab Co-op
York Central
Question
Asks for details on where cuts will fall and what impact they will have, suggesting that the cuts are Treasury-driven.
Minister reply
Reiterates that decisions will be made by Ministers following the spending review timetable.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
Praises FCDO staff for their courteous and helpful nature, suggesting a graduate scheme to support them during periods of high pressure.
Minister reply
Expresses appreciation for the civil servants' efforts but cannot commit to spending decisions. Suggests managing workflow according to priorities outlined in the integrated review.
Margaret Ferrier
Ind
Rutherglen and Hamilton West
Question
Concerned about morale issues among FCDO staff due to past mergers, salary cuts, and pension reductions. Asks how the Minister will support staff.
Minister reply
Reiterates the importance of aligning civil servants with integrated review priorities while acknowledging their world-class nature.
Shadow Comment
Thomas Tugendhat
Shadow Comment
The shadow minister pays tribute to the Minister's work and acknowledges the shift towards bilateral relationships since Brexit, which he views as transformative. He criticises any form of staff cuts, arguing that more staff are needed now than before, especially in key regions like Kenya, Nigeria, European capitals (outside Brussels), and the Middle East. The shadow minister emphasises the importance of the integrated review's policy and the need for increased staffing to achieve Britain's global ambitions.
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