Written question asked by John McDonnell (Labour) on Friday, 13 March 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 17 March 2026. It was answered by Seema Malhotra (Labour) on Thursday, 26 March 2026 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Middle East: Research

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of proposed staff cuts of staff employed as research analysts in the Middle East, in the context of the developing situation in the countries impacted; and if she will make a statement.

Answer: The FCDO2030 reform programme is designed to ensure the department is able to rise to the challenges of a rapidly changing world, and a constrained fiscal environment. This is an unprecedented transformation, driven by the objective to become a more agile, technologically enabled organisation, focused on the UK's strategic priorities, including peace, stability and security in the Middle East. The FCDO remains in regular consultations with the Trade Union side on its reform proposals.

Secondary information