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Aid spending will be cut to 0.3% of gross national income by 2027 to fund greater spending on defence. What are the government's aid plans?
Aid spending will be cut to 0.3% of gross national income by 2027 to fund greater spending on defence. What are the government's aid plans?
To ask His Majesty's Government how many (1) desks, and (2) civil servants, are assigned to the offices of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office at King Charles Street.
To ask His Majesty's Government how many (1) desks, and (2) civil servants, are assigned to the offices of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office at King Charles Street.
I am advised by the Department that, based on the most recent occupancy and space-planning data available, there are 3,206 desks within the King Charles Street building.
Desk numbers are kept under regular review and may increase or decrease over time to reflect operational requirements, estate reconfiguration, and changing business needs. As such, the figure provided represents the most accurate position at the time of the latest assessment rather than a permanent fixed total.
In terms of headcount, the number of civil servants assigned to the offices of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office at King Charles Street is 4,129.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many MP surgeries have Ministers in her Department had with MPs (a) in the period July 2024 to January 2025 and (b) since January 2025.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many MP surgeries have Ministers in her Department had with MPs (a) in the period July 2024 to January 2025 and (b) since January 2025.
Ministers at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) engage regularly with MPs to discuss a range of issues, whether in Parliamentary debates, committee hearings, or meetings with specialist groups. Ministers have had regular engagement with parliamentarians at surgeries, with APPGs and with MPs on consular casework. FCDO ministers have responded to a quarter of all urgent question debates since the last election, regularly engaging with colleagues on a range of topical matters.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many FTE equivalent staff in (a) their Department and (b) each Arm's Length Body it sponsors are dedicated to fulfilment of the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED); what the (i) annual employment and (ii) total annual cost...
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many FTE equivalent staff in (a) their Department and (b) each Arm's Length Body it sponsors are dedicated to fulfilment of the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED); what the (i) annual employment and (ii) total annual cost...
The Public Sector Equality Duty is a statutory obligation under section 149 of the Equality Act 2010. Compliance is embedded in departmental policy, operational and service delivery work, rather than undertaken solely by dedicated personnel. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) do not hold central records of full time equivalent (FTE) staff or costs attributable solely to Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) activity. Separating PSED activity from ordinary business would incur disproportionate cost.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, for each Arm's Length Body (ALB) their Department sponsors, (a) how many people are employed in the following bands of total earnings, or nearest equivalent, (i) under £25,000, (ii) £ 25,001 to £ 35,000, (iii) £35,001 to £50,270,...
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, for each Arm's Length Body (ALB) their Department sponsors, (a) how many people are employed in the following bands of total earnings, or nearest equivalent, (i) under £25,000, (ii) £ 25,001 to £ 35,000, (iii) £35,001 to £50,270,...
The requested data is not centrally held by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and could only be collated and verified for the purposes of answering this question at disproportionate cost.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 16 June 2026 to Question 8067 on FCDO: Industrial Dispute, what is the request or ask of the PCS trade union that is the subject of the industrial dispute on the restructure process;...
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 16 June 2026 to Question 8067 on FCDO: Industrial Dispute, what is the request or ask of the PCS trade union that is the subject of the industrial dispute on the restructure process;...
The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) trade union has asked for an unconditional guarantee against compulsory redundancy. The department remains engaged in discussions with PCS regarding the restructuring programme and continues to seek to minimise the need for compulsory redundancies. No further strike dates have been notified beyond what is already announced.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many agency staff were employed by her Department in each of the last three years.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many agency staff were employed by her Department in each of the last three years.
Details of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's expenditure on temporary staff are routinely published in the Department's annual report and accounts.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what was the cost to the public purse of her Department's summer reception held on 1 July 2026; and how much of the total cost was spent on (a) alcohol and (b) catering.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what was the cost to the public purse of her Department's summer reception held on 1 July 2026; and how much of the total cost was spent on (a) alcohol and (b) catering.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's summer reception is one of the key moments of the year for engagement with overseas diplomats based in the UK, and has been supported by successive governments for several decades. We are grateful to the many UK food and drink companies who offered to showcase their products at this year's reception, helping to reduce the costs of the event for the FCDO.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, other than special advisers if her Department has appointed anyone from outside the civil service since July 2024.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, other than special advisers if her Department has appointed anyone from outside the civil service since July 2024.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has conducted open recruitment exercises for a large number of posts at all levels since July 2024, which has often meant appointing individuals from outside the civil service.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many government residences are allocated to the Foreign Office; and how many of those are occupied by serving or ex ministers of the Department, broken down by property allocated to each minister or former minister.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many government residences are allocated to the Foreign Office; and how many of those are occupied by serving or ex ministers of the Department, broken down by property allocated to each minister or former minister.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 28 October 2025 in response to Question HL10808. All decisions on the allocation of official residences to ministers are made by the Prime Minister, either on the grounds of security or to allow them to better perform their official duties.
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether (a) her Department and (b) the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs is informed when Welsh Government ministers meet foreign diplomats; whether permission is sought for such meetings; and whether (i) her Department and (ii) the Secretary of...
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether (a) her Department and (b) the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs is informed when Welsh Government ministers meet foreign diplomats; whether permission is sought for such meetings; and whether (i) her Department and (ii) the Secretary of...
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) works closely with the Wales Office to monitor and support the Welsh Government’s international engagement on devolved matters.
The FCDO provides support and guidance when the Welsh Government chooses to advise UK Government of these meetings, and where it is appropriate to do so. The FCDO also works to ensure that foreign diplomats are aware of the respective responsibilities of the UK and Devolved Governments.
The Wales Office also engages directly with the FCDO overseas network to support ministerial and official investment missions. For the second year in a row, the UK Government has overseen an increase in the number of foreign investments coming into Wales, alongside a rise in the number of jobs created or protected. The new £2.4m Brand Wales programme will enhance our promotion of Wales' Trade and Investment opportunities.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will make it her policy to reference “sex” rather than “gender” in future departmental publications.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will make it her policy to reference “sex” rather than “gender” in future departmental publications.
The Department will continue to use the word 'gender' when it is appropriate to do so, as the Hon Member himself has done ever since arriving in Parliament. Indeed, looking back at his past contributions to oral debates, I was struck by the number of issues he has addressed with care and sensitivity over the years while using the word 'gender'.
In 2015, he talked movingly about his ambitions for his own young son and daughter, but said there was "far, far more to do if we are to eliminate the gender pay gap altogether and build the equal society that we all want". The following year, he talked with great moral clarity about the "gender inequalities" and "gender-based violence" facing young women affected by the conflict in Yemen. In 2018 and 2019, he talked again about the "gender pay gap", and in 2022, he praised the "almost identical gender balance" in pub trade employment, an observation he repeated in 2024. Finally, last year, he struck a chord with members across the House when talking about a close colleague and friend who had been affected by illness, stating: "Cancer does not care about politics. It does not care what background we come from, our age or gender, or what party we belong to. It strikes indiscriminately. It takes what it wants, and it leaves devastation in its wake."
In all these cases, the use of the word 'gender' seems perfectly appropriate, and in some instances - such as 'gender inequality', 'gender based violence', and 'gender pay gap' - these are commonly-used and widely-understood terms, which it would make no sense to strike from our collective vocabulary. I would therefore urge the Hon Member to reflect on his proposal, and possibly have a conversation with his former self on the matter.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, further to the response of 6 July to Question 14187, whether the Department made any payments to the Causeway Initiative for Peace-building and Conflict Resolution International, otherwise known as The Causeway Initiative.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, further to the response of 6 July to Question 14187, whether the Department made any payments to the Causeway Initiative for Peace-building and Conflict Resolution International, otherwise known as The Causeway Initiative.
Details of Government contracts are routinely published on the ContractsFinder and Find-a-Tender Service websites.
Details of payments over £25,000 made by Government departments are routinely published via transparency releases on GOV.UK.
That this House considers that the main focus of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) should be on tackling pressing issues arising from the conflict in the Middle East alongside emerging and ongoing crises across the globe; regrets however that the ongoing restructuring exercise has created an industrial dispute with members of the Public and Commercial Services Trade Union since November 2025; notes that PCS members have now voted for Industrial Action with 78% of members voting for strike action and 97% voting for action short of strike action in an industrial ballot on 22 June; supports calls by PCS that the dispute could be resolved by pledges of no compulsory redundancies, roles to be advertised for internal applicants in the first instance, evidence that equality impacts and potential discriminatory outcomes have been fully assessed and mitigated; further notes the calls by both the International Development and Foreign Affairs Select Committees to pause the restructure proposals; and agrees that pausing the restructuring with the Department should take place immediately and that FCDO should now engage in meaningful dialogue in order to address all the issues and concerns of the staff and trade union.
That this House considers that the main focus of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) should be on tackling pressing issues arising from the conflict in the Middle East alongside emerging and ongoing crises across the globe; regrets however that the ongoing restructuring exercise has created an industrial dispute...
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many visits by ministers in her department have been made to Commonwealth member states in each of the last five years.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many visits by ministers in her department have been made to Commonwealth member states in each of the last five years.
Details of ministerial overseas visits are routinely published in each department's quarterly transparency releases.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, With reference to the answer of 16 April 2026, to Question 124809, on FCDO: Inter Mediate, and with reference to the publication, FCDO: departmental spending over £25,000, for what reason the last published transparency return for FCDO spending...
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, With reference to the answer of 16 April 2026, to Question 124809, on FCDO: Inter Mediate, and with reference to the publication, FCDO: departmental spending over £25,000, for what reason the last published transparency return for FCDO spending...
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) spending transparency data for the period since January 2025 has been delayed as a result of the transition to a new reporting process, but will be published in the normal way in due course.
Such delays are not unusual. For example, spending data for the entire period from June 2022 to October 2024 was only published for the first time on 28 November 2024.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 4 June 2026 to Question 4161 on Government departments: marketing, how much has been spent on branded goods and merchandise by her Department since the Government Chief Commercial Officer letter was sent; and...
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 4 June 2026 to Question 4161 on Government departments: marketing, how much has been spent on branded goods and merchandise by her Department since the Government Chief Commercial Officer letter was sent; and...
The requested data is not centrally held by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and could only be collated and verified for the purposes of answering this question at disproportionate cost.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the answer of 5 June 2026 to Question 3763 on Government Communications Service: Staff, and of 19 January 2026 to Question 104195 on Government Communication Service: Staff, how many headcount staff in her Department are...
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the answer of 5 June 2026 to Question 3763 on Government Communications Service: Staff, and of 19 January 2026 to Question 104195 on Government Communication Service: Staff, how many headcount staff in her Department are...
I refer the Hon Member to the answer of 5 June from the Cabinet Office cited in his question.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 25 June 2026 to Question 428 on Members: Correspondence, and with reference to the FCDO Complaints Procedure published on gov.uk, whether a formal complaint under Stage 1 can be taken forward if the...
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 25 June 2026 to Question 428 on Members: Correspondence, and with reference to the FCDO Complaints Procedure published on gov.uk, whether a formal complaint under Stage 1 can be taken forward if the...
Stage one of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Complaints Procedure published on gov.uk relates specifically to complaints about consular service. This would not be an appropriate avenue for a complaint of this nature to be pursued.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what training her Department provides on AI; and (a) how many hours and (b) what topics and skills are covered by such training.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what training her Department provides on AI; and (a) how many hours and (b) what topics and skills are covered by such training.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office provides a range of artificial intelligence (AI) learning opportunities for staff, including online learning, practical workshops and instructor-led training, to help staff use AI safely, responsibly and effectively in their work. The type and amount of training available varies depending on the course selected, but frequent topics covered include research and information retrieval, analysis, translation, productivity techniques, and understanding the opportunities, limitations, and risks associated with AI. While our training covers AI broadly, there is a particular focus on Microsoft Copilot as the Department's primary AI tool for workplace productivity and collaboration.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many officials from her Department with responsibility for the British Indian Ocean Territory are working a) within the British Indian Ocean Territory, b) from her Department's main building and c) from home remotely.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many officials from her Department with responsibility for the British Indian Ocean Territory are working a) within the British Indian Ocean Territory, b) from her Department's main building and c) from home remotely.
The British Indian Ocean Territory is constitutionally distinct and separate from the UK. It is administered by the British Indian Ocean Territory Administration (BIOTA). The Commissioner is based in the UK and is supported by around 40 staff split between the UK and the Territory. In addition, there are currently around 13 Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office staff working on all aspects of BIOT policy, all of whom are based in the UK.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she had made of the potential impact of the FCDO2030 restructuring programme on (a) departmental delivery and (b) workforce pressures.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she had made of the potential impact of the FCDO2030 restructuring programme on (a) departmental delivery and (b) workforce pressures.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is committed to becoming a more strategic, high performing and technology-enabled organisation, better equipped to deliver tangible benefits for the British people. The FCDO2030 reform programme is driving forward this transformation, ensuring the Department can deliver its purpose effectively in a rapidly changing world.
The programme is being implemented in a phased way to support continuity of delivery, minimise disruption and retain critical skills and expertise. Changes to workforce size and structure are being made strategically to ensure the right number of staff, with the right capabilities, are focused on the FCDO's highest priorities. Any redundancies will be made in line with Civil Service Compensation Scheme rules and the 2016 protocols.
The Department recognises the importance of staff morale, workforce pressures, and continuity of delivery throughout this process. Senior leaders continue to engage regularly with staff to provide clarity and support, and recognised Trade Unions have been consulted throughout the restructuring process. All decisions are made in line with the FCDO's legal and Public Sector Equality Duty obligations.
Ministers are kept informed of progress on the wider FCDO2030 programme, while implementation of organisational change is led by the Department. The FCDO will continue to update Parliament on significant developments relating to the programme, and information on workforce size and composition will continue to be published through the Department's official reporting mechanisms.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure (a) meaningful consultation with trade unions and (b) assess equality safeguards to inform proposed redundancy decisions in the FCDO2030 restructuring.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure (a) meaningful consultation with trade unions and (b) assess equality safeguards to inform proposed redundancy decisions in the FCDO2030 restructuring.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is committed to becoming a more strategic, high performing and technology-enabled organisation, better equipped to deliver tangible benefits for the British people. The FCDO2030 reform programme is driving forward this transformation, ensuring the Department can deliver its purpose effectively in a rapidly changing world.
The programme is being implemented in a phased way to support continuity of delivery, minimise disruption and retain critical skills and expertise. Changes to workforce size and structure are being made strategically to ensure the right number of staff, with the right capabilities, are focused on the FCDO's highest priorities. Any redundancies will be made in line with Civil Service Compensation Scheme rules and the 2016 protocols.
The Department recognises the importance of staff morale, workforce pressures, and continuity of delivery throughout this process. Senior leaders continue to engage regularly with staff to provide clarity and support, and recognised Trade Unions have been consulted throughout the restructuring process. All decisions are made in line with the FCDO's legal and Public Sector Equality Duty obligations.
Ministers are kept informed of progress on the wider FCDO2030 programme, while implementation of organisational change is led by the Department. The FCDO will continue to update Parliament on significant developments relating to the programme, and information on workforce size and composition will continue to be published through the Department's official reporting mechanisms.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether ministers have been involved in her Department's FCDO 2030 restructuring process.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether ministers have been involved in her Department's FCDO 2030 restructuring process.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is committed to becoming a more strategic, high performing and technology-enabled organisation, better equipped to deliver tangible benefits for the British people. The FCDO2030 reform programme is driving forward this transformation, ensuring the Department can deliver its purpose effectively in a rapidly changing world.
The programme is being implemented in a phased way to support continuity of delivery, minimise disruption and retain critical skills and expertise. Changes to workforce size and structure are being made strategically to ensure the right number of staff, with the right capabilities, are focused on the FCDO's highest priorities. Any redundancies will be made in line with Civil Service Compensation Scheme rules and the 2016 protocols.
The Department recognises the importance of staff morale, workforce pressures, and continuity of delivery throughout this process. Senior leaders continue to engage regularly with staff to provide clarity and support, and recognised Trade Unions have been consulted throughout the restructuring process. All decisions are made in line with the FCDO's legal and Public Sector Equality Duty obligations.
Ministers are kept informed of progress on the wider FCDO2030 programme, while implementation of organisational change is led by the Department. The FCDO will continue to update Parliament on significant developments relating to the programme, and information on workforce size and composition will continue to be published through the Department's official reporting mechanisms.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, for what policy reason her Department's FCDO2030 restructuring exercise deviates from 2016 Protocols.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, for what policy reason her Department's FCDO2030 restructuring exercise deviates from 2016 Protocols.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is committed to becoming a more strategic, high performing and technology-enabled organisation, better equipped to deliver tangible benefits for the British people. The FCDO2030 reform programme is driving forward this transformation, ensuring the Department can deliver its purpose effectively in a rapidly changing world.
The programme is being implemented in a phased way to support continuity of delivery, minimise disruption and retain critical skills and expertise. Changes to workforce size and structure are being made strategically to ensure the right number of staff, with the right capabilities, are focused on the FCDO's highest priorities. Any redundancies will be made in line with Civil Service Compensation Scheme rules and the 2016 protocols.
The Department recognises the importance of staff morale, workforce pressures, and continuity of delivery throughout this process. Senior leaders continue to engage regularly with staff to provide clarity and support, and recognised Trade Unions have been consulted throughout the restructuring process. All decisions are made in line with the FCDO's legal and Public Sector Equality Duty obligations.
Ministers are kept informed of progress on the wider FCDO2030 programme, while implementation of organisational change is led by the Department. The FCDO will continue to update Parliament on significant developments relating to the programme, and information on workforce size and composition will continue to be published through the Department's official reporting mechanisms.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to mitigate the potential risk of industrial action by PCS resulting from her Department's restructuring.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to mitigate the potential risk of industrial action by PCS resulting from her Department's restructuring.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is committed to becoming a more strategic, high performing and technology-enabled organisation, better equipped to deliver tangible benefits for the British people. The FCDO2030 reform programme is driving forward this transformation, ensuring the Department can deliver its purpose effectively in a rapidly changing world.
The programme is being implemented in a phased way to support continuity of delivery, minimise disruption and retain critical skills and expertise. Changes to workforce size and structure are being made strategically to ensure the right number of staff, with the right capabilities, are focused on the FCDO's highest priorities. Any redundancies will be made in line with Civil Service Compensation Scheme rules and the 2016 protocols.
The Department recognises the importance of staff morale, workforce pressures, and continuity of delivery throughout this process. Senior leaders continue to engage regularly with staff to provide clarity and support, and recognised Trade Unions have been consulted throughout the restructuring process. All decisions are made in line with the FCDO's legal and Public Sector Equality Duty obligations.
Ministers are kept informed of progress on the wider FCDO2030 programme, while implementation of organisational change is led by the Department. The FCDO will continue to update Parliament on significant developments relating to the programme, and information on workforce size and composition will continue to be published through the Department's official reporting mechanisms.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether key data on levels of staffing resulting from her Department's restructuring process have been shared with staff and trade unions.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether key data on levels of staffing resulting from her Department's restructuring process have been shared with staff and trade unions.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is committed to becoming a more strategic, high performing and technology-enabled organisation, better equipped to deliver tangible benefits for the British people. The FCDO2030 reform programme is driving forward this transformation, ensuring the Department can deliver its purpose effectively in a rapidly changing world.
The programme is being implemented in a phased way to support continuity of delivery, minimise disruption and retain critical skills and expertise. Changes to workforce size and structure are being made strategically to ensure the right number of staff, with the right capabilities, are focused on the FCDO's highest priorities. Any redundancies will be made in line with Civil Service Compensation Scheme rules and the 2016 protocols.
The Department recognises the importance of staff morale, workforce pressures, and continuity of delivery throughout this process. Senior leaders continue to engage regularly with staff to provide clarity and support, and recognised Trade Unions have been consulted throughout the restructuring process. All decisions are made in line with the FCDO's legal and Public Sector Equality Duty obligations.
Ministers are kept informed of progress on the wider FCDO2030 programme, while implementation of organisational change is led by the Department. The FCDO will continue to update Parliament on significant developments relating to the programme, and information on workforce size and composition will continue to be published through the Department's official reporting mechanisms.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the FCDO2030 restructuring exercise and proposed staff reductions on the level of the UK’s soft power capability and wider overseas interests.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the FCDO2030 restructuring exercise and proposed staff reductions on the level of the UK’s soft power capability and wider overseas interests.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is committed to becoming a more strategic, high performing and technology-enabled organisation, better equipped to deliver tangible benefits for the British people. The FCDO2030 reform programme is driving forward this transformation, ensuring the Department can deliver its purpose effectively in a rapidly changing world.
The programme is being implemented in a phased way to support continuity of delivery, minimise disruption and retain critical skills and expertise. Changes to workforce size and structure are being made strategically to ensure the right number of staff, with the right capabilities, are focused on the FCDO's highest priorities. Any redundancies will be made in line with Civil Service Compensation Scheme rules and the 2016 protocols.
The Department recognises the importance of staff morale, workforce pressures, and continuity of delivery throughout this process. Senior leaders continue to engage regularly with staff to provide clarity and support, and recognised Trade Unions have been consulted throughout the restructuring process. All decisions are made in line with the FCDO's legal and Public Sector Equality Duty obligations.
Ministers are kept informed of progress on the wider FCDO2030 programme, while implementation of organisational change is led by the Department. The FCDO will continue to update Parliament on significant developments relating to the programme, and information on workforce size and composition will continue to be published through the Department's official reporting mechanisms.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many political appointees have been made by her department since July 2024.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many political appointees have been made by her department since July 2024.
We have taken 'political appointees' to mean special advisers. A list of special advisers by department is published each year in the Annual Report on Special Advisers, which is laid in Parliament. The Annual Report on Special Advisers 2026 will be published in due course.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of restructuring the International Humanitarian Law Unit on the Department's capacity to monitor, assess and provide advice on alleged violations of International Humanitarian Law.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of restructuring the International Humanitarian Law Unit on the Department's capacity to monitor, assess and provide advice on alleged violations of International Humanitarian Law.
As I explained in the answer of 29 April to Questions 129692-95, the media stories on which these questions are based were misleading, and as I reiterated in the House on 1 July, our function in this important area remains and the unit has not closed.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, a) how many full-time equivalent staff were assigned to the International Humanitarian Law Unit prior to restructuring in 2026 and b) how many full-time equivalent staff are responsible for carrying out those functions.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, a) how many full-time equivalent staff were assigned to the International Humanitarian Law Unit prior to restructuring in 2026 and b) how many full-time equivalent staff are responsible for carrying out those functions.
As I explained in the answer of 29 April to Questions 129692-95, the media stories on which these questions are based were misleading, and as I reiterated in the House on 1 July, our function in this important area remains and the unit has not closed.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Government will publish an organisational chart, business case, or other assessment setting out how the functions of the former International Humanitarian Law Unit are now carried out within the Department.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Government will publish an organisational chart, business case, or other assessment setting out how the functions of the former International Humanitarian Law Unit are now carried out within the Department.
As I explained in the answer of 29 April to Questions 129692-95, the media stories on which these questions are based were misleading, and as I reiterated in the House on 1 July, our function in this important area remains and the unit has not closed.
Global incidence of armed conflict is high. This briefing summarises the incidence of conflict and lists resources on its impact on older people.
Global incidence of armed conflict is high. This briefing summarises the incidence of conflict and lists resources on its impact on older people.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what artificial intelligence services or tools are used by their department; and whether the department has a contract with each provider of those services.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what artificial intelligence services or tools are used by their department; and whether the department has a contract with each provider of those services.
The Government is committed to adopting artificial intelligence in a way that is transparent, responsible and accountable to the public.
The only generative AI tool currently cleared for use within the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is Microsoft Copilot, which has been assured to the appropriate security standards and approved for use by all staff in the Department.
In line with public procurement transparency requirements, departments publish contractual information for AI services and tools on Contracts Finder and, where above the relevant threshold, on the Find a Tender Service.
Agreed to on question.
Agreed to on question.
It is a great pleasure to lead this Adjournment debate; I am most grateful to Mr Speaker for granting it. The Minister at the Dispatch Box and I are both Lincolnshire MPs, and we share the burden of knowing that Lincolnshire’s is the most underfunded police force in the country,...
It is a great pleasure to lead this Adjournment debate; I am most grateful to Mr Speaker for granting it. The Minister at the Dispatch Box and I are both Lincolnshire MPs, and we share the burden of knowing that Lincolnshire’s is the most underfunded police force in the country,...
I am grateful to the hon. Member for Boston and Skegness (Richard Tice) for securing the debate and for providing me with an opportunity to talk about the Lincolnshire police, which is where he started and so where I shall start as well. The hon. Member will be pleased to...
I am grateful to the hon. Member for Boston and Skegness (Richard Tice) for securing the debate and for providing me with an opportunity to talk about the Lincolnshire police, which is where he started and so where I shall start as well. The hon. Member will be pleased to...
Just over 18 months ago, Harshita Brella was murdered in Corby and her body was found in the boot of a car. We are aware that there is an ongoing police investigation, and none of us wants to do anything to prejudice that, but her family feel isolated; recently, they...
Just over 18 months ago, Harshita Brella was murdered in Corby and her body was found in the boot of a car. We are aware that there is an ongoing police investigation, and none of us wants to do anything to prejudice that, but her family feel isolated; recently, they...
I thank my hon. Friend for raising this important case, and share his horror at this horrific attack—our thoughts remain with Harshita’s friends and family, and I understand the strength of feeling about this case. As my hon. Friend points out, there is an ongoing investigation, but I understand that...
I thank my hon. Friend for raising this important case, and share his horror at this horrific attack—our thoughts remain with Harshita’s friends and family, and I understand the strength of feeling about this case. As my hon. Friend points out, there is an ongoing investigation, but I understand that...
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, in relation to the FCDO 2030 restructuring review, when she expects to publish comparative data on staffing numbers by grade before and after the restructuring.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, in relation to the FCDO 2030 restructuring review, when she expects to publish comparative data on staffing numbers by grade before and after the restructuring.
The Department recognises the importance of staff morale and retention, as well as continuity of delivery, throughout this process. Senior leadership are engaging regularly with staff to provide clarity and support. HR continues to meet trade unions twice weekly to share updates on workforce matters and to seek their views on emerging employee policy considerations. Trade union input is invited for consideration before decisions are taken.
Changes are being made as the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is committed to becoming a smaller, more agile organisation, better equipped to deliver tangible benefits for the British people. Changes to workforce size and structure are being made strategically, in line with departmental priorities, to ensure we retain the capability required to deliver UK strength, security, and prosperity. This is not a case of spreading more work across fewer people, but of ensuring the right number of staff, with the right skills and tools, are in appropriately sized teams, focused on the highest priorities and empowered to take decisions at the right level.
The FCDO will continue to update the House on progress with the implementation of the FCDO2030 programme, as and when there are significant developments or milestones to report. Information on workforce size and composition is published through official statistics and annual reporting.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, in relation to the FCDO 2030 restructuring review, Ministers have undertaken of departmental priorities to reflect any anticipated short-term disruption to delivery.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, in relation to the FCDO 2030 restructuring review, Ministers have undertaken of departmental priorities to reflect any anticipated short-term disruption to delivery.
The Department recognises the importance of staff morale and retention, as well as continuity of delivery, throughout this process. Senior leadership are engaging regularly with staff to provide clarity and support. HR continues to meet trade unions twice weekly to share updates on workforce matters and to seek their views on emerging employee policy considerations. Trade union input is invited for consideration before decisions are taken.
Changes are being made as the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is committed to becoming a smaller, more agile organisation, better equipped to deliver tangible benefits for the British people. Changes to workforce size and structure are being made strategically, in line with departmental priorities, to ensure we retain the capability required to deliver UK strength, security, and prosperity. This is not a case of spreading more work across fewer people, but of ensuring the right number of staff, with the right skills and tools, are in appropriately sized teams, focused on the highest priorities and empowered to take decisions at the right level.
The FCDO will continue to update the House on progress with the implementation of the FCDO2030 programme, as and when there are significant developments or milestones to report. Information on workforce size and composition is published through official statistics and annual reporting.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, in relation to the FCDO 2030 restructuring review, what steps she is taking to ensure continuity of departmental delivery during the period in which staff are applying for new roles and leaving posts.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, in relation to the FCDO 2030 restructuring review, what steps she is taking to ensure continuity of departmental delivery during the period in which staff are applying for new roles and leaving posts.
The Department recognises the importance of staff morale and retention, as well as continuity of delivery, throughout this process. Senior leadership are engaging regularly with staff to provide clarity and support. HR continues to meet trade unions twice weekly to share updates on workforce matters and to seek their views on emerging employee policy considerations. Trade union input is invited for consideration before decisions are taken.
Changes are being made as the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is committed to becoming a smaller, more agile organisation, better equipped to deliver tangible benefits for the British people. Changes to workforce size and structure are being made strategically, in line with departmental priorities, to ensure we retain the capability required to deliver UK strength, security, and prosperity. This is not a case of spreading more work across fewer people, but of ensuring the right number of staff, with the right skills and tools, are in appropriately sized teams, focused on the highest priorities and empowered to take decisions at the right level.
The FCDO will continue to update the House on progress with the implementation of the FCDO2030 programme, as and when there are significant developments or milestones to report. Information on workforce size and composition is published through official statistics and annual reporting.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the restructuring process on staff morale and retention.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the restructuring process on staff morale and retention.
The Department recognises the importance of staff morale and retention, as well as continuity of delivery, throughout this process. Senior leadership are engaging regularly with staff to provide clarity and support. HR continues to meet trade unions twice weekly to share updates on workforce matters and to seek their views on emerging employee policy considerations. Trade union input is invited for consideration before decisions are taken.
Changes are being made as the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is committed to becoming a smaller, more agile organisation, better equipped to deliver tangible benefits for the British people. Changes to workforce size and structure are being made strategically, in line with departmental priorities, to ensure we retain the capability required to deliver UK strength, security, and prosperity. This is not a case of spreading more work across fewer people, but of ensuring the right number of staff, with the right skills and tools, are in appropriately sized teams, focused on the highest priorities and empowered to take decisions at the right level.
The FCDO will continue to update the House on progress with the implementation of the FCDO2030 programme, as and when there are significant developments or milestones to report. Information on workforce size and composition is published through official statistics and annual reporting.
To ask His Majesty's Government what is the wording of any standard email signatures appended to emails sent by those working in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office; when the wording was last reviewed; and who reviewed it.
To ask His Majesty's Government what is the wording of any standard email signatures appended to emails sent by those working in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office; when the wording was last reviewed; and who reviewed it.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has an auto emailer system, which is maintained and added by the Department's Digital, Technology and Security Directorate. This is customarily appended to all emails which are sent outside of the department and reads as follows:
Follow us online: www.gov.uk/fcdo
This email is intended for the addressee(s) only: All messages sent and received by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office may be monitored in line with relevant UK legislation
There is separate guidance available for staff who wish to create their own email signatures, which was last updated by the Department's Communications Directorate on the 16 August 2023, but this does not dictate any mandatory wording to go alongside these signatures.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 4 June 2026 to Question 4946 on Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Palantir, whether the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has access to services provided under Ministry of Defence contracts with Palantir.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 4 June 2026 to Question 4946 on Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Palantir, whether the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has access to services provided under Ministry of Defence contracts with Palantir.
No other Governmental departments have access to the Palantir services under the Ministry of Defence Contracts and there are no provisions for other Government departments to have access.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department has a policy on proposing honours for individuals associated with entities and actions subject to investigation by the Serious Fraud Office.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department has a policy on proposing honours for individuals associated with entities and actions subject to investigation by the Serious Fraud Office.
Along with other relevant Government departments, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) supported the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) throughout their investigation and was in full compliance with disclosure obligations in the subsequent prosecution, including all relevant material held by the organisation. Decisions on who to investigate, and whether to do so, were matters for the SFO.
In relation to the honours system, it would not be appropriate to comment on individual cases, but honours can be revoked if an individual is deemed to have brought the honours system into disrepute. Any review of an honour would be conducted by the independent Forfeiture Committee.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many times their Department has responded to a written parliamentary question saying that the information is not held in 2026.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many times their Department has responded to a written parliamentary question saying that the information is not held in 2026.
The Hon Member can find details of the number of times different phrases were used in WPQ responses by using the search function at: https://questions-statements.parliament.uk
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what visits have taken place to Afghanistan by Ministers in her Department since 4 July 2024.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what visits have taken place to Afghanistan by Ministers in her Department since 4 July 2024.
Details of ministers' overseas travel are published on a quarterly basis in the Department's transparency returns. No UK Government Ministers have travelled to Afghanistan during this period.
On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. I seek your advice on how to ensure that named day written parliamentary questions are answered by the Department on time. My written questions 10935 to 10940 to the Foreign Office about a company called Siren Associates Ltd had not been answered...
On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. I seek your advice on how to ensure that named day written parliamentary questions are answered by the Department on time. My written questions 10935 to 10940 to the Foreign Office about a company called Siren Associates Ltd had not been answered...
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Cabinet Office spend data, Expenditure Over £25,000 - March 2026 (Cabinet Office Core), updated on 30 April 2025, what the transaction COD Chief of Staff to FCDO Services, Ref: 2037004694 was for.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Cabinet Office spend data, Expenditure Over £25,000 - March 2026 (Cabinet Office Core), updated on 30 April 2025, what the transaction COD Chief of Staff to FCDO Services, Ref: 2037004694 was for.
The payment was for a feasibility study into the potential for using a solution designed by FCDO Services for the Cabinet Office’s own use in analysing digital records for sensitivities prior to their transfer to The National Archives.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what guidance her Department provides to Ministers, special advisers and officials on conducting government business, including on security vetting and senior diplomatic appointments, via WhatsApp and other private messaging platforms.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what guidance her Department provides to Ministers, special advisers and officials on conducting government business, including on security vetting and senior diplomatic appointments, via WhatsApp and other private messaging platforms.
I refer the Rt Hon Member to the Cabinet Office guidance on the use of non-corporate communication channels, published under the previous government, on 30 March 2023: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/non-corporate-communication-channels-for-government-business.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department has hired external public relations consultants since July 2024.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department has hired external public relations consultants since July 2024.
Contracts awarded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) are available via Contracts Finder (https://www.gov.uk/contracts-finder) and Find-a-Tender-Service (https://www.gov.uk/find-tender).
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what financial contribution her Department has made to the Victim Support Homicide Service in each of the last three financial years.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what financial contribution her Department has made to the Victim Support Homicide Service in each of the last three financial years.
The Government is committed to ensuring that families bereaved by homicide abroad receive the support they need. As part of this, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office provides a contribution towards the overall £5.5 million funding of the National Homicide Service, proportionate to the number of bereaved families supported by the service whose loved ones are victims of homicide overseas.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department takes factors other than merit into consideration when it comes to (a) appointments and (b) promotions.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department takes factors other than merit into consideration when it comes to (a) appointments and (b) promotions.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office seeks to maintain the highest standards of integrity, fairness and impartiality in such matters, in line with Civil Service Recruitment Principles, and I would be happy to compare these processes with the means by which the Rt Hon Member became a candidate for his current seat.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many officials in (a) her Department and (b) the non-departmental public bodies for which she is responsible claimed reimbursement for travel subsistence expenses in each of the last five years; what the total cost was of such...
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many officials in (a) her Department and (b) the non-departmental public bodies for which she is responsible claimed reimbursement for travel subsistence expenses in each of the last five years; what the total cost was of such...
The requested data could only be collated and verified for the purposes of answering this question at disproportionate cost.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what plans she has for staffing reductions; and what the forecast staffing levels in her Department are over each of the next five years.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what plans she has for staffing reductions; and what the forecast staffing levels in her Department are over each of the next five years.
The position remains as originally set out to the Rt Hon Member in the response of 14 July 2025 to her Question 64726. The Department will continue to update the House on progress with the implementation of the FCDO2030 programme, as and when there are significant developments or milestones to report.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department permits civil servants employed in the UK to work from overseas on a regular basis.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department permits civil servants employed in the UK to work from overseas on a regular basis.
As the Rt Hon Member will understand, the nature of the work done by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office means that UK-based staff are regularly deployed overseas.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much (a) her Department, (b) its agencies and (c) its public bodies has spent on lanyards since 4 July 2024; what designs of lanyards have been purchased; and what the cost and number of each lanyard design...
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much (a) her Department, (b) its agencies and (c) its public bodies has spent on lanyards since 4 July 2024; what designs of lanyards have been purchased; and what the cost and number of each lanyard design...
The requested information is not centrally held, and could only be collated and verified for the purposes of answering this question at disproportionate cost.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the publication, FCDO Areas of Research Interest (ARI), of 11 May 2026, paragraph 10.2, through what mechanisms her Department will research political regime transitions.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the publication, FCDO Areas of Research Interest (ARI), of 11 May 2026, paragraph 10.2, through what mechanisms her Department will research political regime transitions.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Civil Service 2024/2025 External Expenditure on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion publication, updated 6 May 2026, if he will publish the LGBT+ diversity materials; what the cost was; and who the suppliers were.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Civil Service 2024/2025 External Expenditure on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion publication, updated 6 May 2026, if he will publish the LGBT+ diversity materials; what the cost was; and who the suppliers were.
The materials in question, including t-shirts and placards, were purchased under the previous government at a cost of £383.34, to support the representation of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) at the London Pride event, held on 29 June 2024. The FCDO has been similarly represented at London Pride each year since 2022, and our overseas posts regularly take part in Pride events around the world as part of the Department's work to promote the human rights, and oppose the persecution, of LGBT+ people internationally.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the publication, FCDO Areas of Research Interest (ARI), of 11 May 2026, paragraph 6.2, what her Department's definition is of anti-rights movements; and what rights will be considered as part of the research.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the publication, FCDO Areas of Research Interest (ARI), of 11 May 2026, paragraph 6.2, what her Department's definition is of anti-rights movements; and what rights will be considered as part of the research.
I refer the Hon Member to the introduction to the section to which his question refers, which explains the remit of the FCDO's own research portfolio in relation to gender equality, and the attacks on women's rights which form an important part of that work.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the publication, FCDO Areas of Research Interest (ARI), of 11 May 2026, paragraph 3.1, for what reason the research uses the metric of gender rather than sex.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the publication, FCDO Areas of Research Interest (ARI), of 11 May 2026, paragraph 3.1, for what reason the research uses the metric of gender rather than sex.
I refer the Hon Member to the introduction to the section to which his question refers, which explains the remit of the FCDO's own research portfolio in relation to gender equality, and the attacks on women's rights which form an important part of that work.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the status is of her Department's industrial dispute with the PCS trade union.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the status is of her Department's industrial dispute with the PCS trade union.
It is regrettable that the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) remains in dispute with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office regarding the restructure process. We remain committed to continuing constructive engagement with all our recognised trade unions on this and other workforce matters.
I want to formally welcome the fact that an agreement has been announced between the United States and Iran. We should be clear that this is an important diplomatic breakthrough, but it is still just the beginning of further discussions and negotiations that will be important to de-escalate tensions, restore regional stability and reopen the strait of Hormuz. I commend the Government of Pakistan, alongside Qatar and others, who supported the mediation.
Now there must be full implementation and further work, including the restoration of toll-free freedom of navigation through the strait, where the UK stands ready to provide support. We also stand ready to contribute to vital technical work to ensure that Iran never has a nuclear weapon and that there can be containment that restores regional security. It is vital that alongside this, all sides support a ceasefire and peace in Lebanon. We will work tirelessly alongside regional and international partners, including through the G7 and the United Nations and with our European partners, with sustained UK diplomacy to restore regional security and support for the global economy.
I want to formally welcome the fact that an agreement has been announced between the United States and Iran. We should be clear that this is an important diplomatic breakthrough, but it is still just the beginning of further discussions and negotiations that will be important to de-escalate tensions, restore regional stability and reopen the strait of Hormuz. I commend the Government of Pakistan, alongside Qatar and others, who supported the mediation.
Now there must be full implementation and further work, including the restoration of toll-free freedom of navigation through the strait, where the UK stands ready to provide support. We also stand ready to contribute to vital technical work to ensure that Iran never has a nuclear weapon and that there can be containment that restores regional security. It is vital that alongside this, all sides support a ceasefire and peace in Lebanon. We will work tirelessly alongside regional and international partners, including through the G7 and the United Nations and with our European partners, with sustained UK diplomacy to restore regional security and support for the global economy.
If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities.
If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities.
If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities.
I want to formally welcome the fact that an agreement has been announced between the United States and Iran. We should be clear that this is an important diplomatic breakthrough, but it is still just the beginning of further discussions and negotiations that will be important to de-escalate tensions, restore regional stability and reopen the strait of Hormuz. I commend the Government of Pakistan, alongside Qatar and others, who supported the mediation.
Now there must be full implementation and further work, including the restoration of toll-free freedom of navigation through the strait, where the UK stands ready to provide support. We also stand ready to contribute to vital technical work to ensure that Iran never has a nuclear weapon and that there can be containment that restores regional security. It is vital that alongside this, all sides support a ceasefire and peace in Lebanon. We will work tirelessly alongside regional and international partners, including through the G7 and the United Nations and with our European partners, with sustained UK diplomacy to restore regional security and support for the global economy.
If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities.
If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities.
If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities.
If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities.
If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities.
If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities.
If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities.
If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities.
If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities.
If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities.
If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities.
If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities.
If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities.
If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities.
To ask His Majesty's Government what mechanisms will be introduced in the Sovereign Grant Review to prevent overlap of funding between the Sovereign Grant and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in respect of (1) inbound state visits to the UK, (2) outbound visits by members of the Royal Family, and...
To ask His Majesty's Government what mechanisms will be introduced in the Sovereign Grant Review to prevent overlap of funding between the Sovereign Grant and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in respect of (1) inbound state visits to the UK, (2) outbound visits by members of the Royal Family, and...
Expenditure met from the Sovereign Grant and that met by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) budgets serve distinct purposes.
The Sovereign Grant provides funding to support the official duties of working Members of the Royal Family, including staff, overseas travel to conduct and prepare for outward State Visits and the maintenance of the Occupied Royal Palaces. The FCDO and other departments meet separate costs associated with the UK’s diplomatic activity, both in the UK and overseas.
The FCDO funds in-country arrangements for outward State Visits, including accommodation and wider hosting arrangements. For inward State Visits, the FCDO funds the accommodation of the visiting delegation, as well as gifts and certain ceremonial activity, such as the State Banquet.
For activity undertaken in respect of His Majesty’s role as Head of the Commonwealth, the Sovereign Grant, FCDO and other departments fund respective activities that support the UK’s diplomatic objectives. Costs associated exclusively with The King’s role as Head of the Commonwealth may be met by the host country or participating Commonwealth member states. As with inward and outward visits, there remains a clear distinction between funding provided by the Sovereign Grant, and the funding provided by the FCDO and other departments for Commonwealth-related activity.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department (a) currently holds and (b) previously held any documentation relating to the Chinook ZD576 which crashed on 2 June 1994.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department (a) currently holds and (b) previously held any documentation relating to the Chinook ZD576 which crashed on 2 June 1994.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office have conducted an extensive search of The National Archives' (TNA) search engine, Discovery, and their own records and have located records relating only to attendance at a funeral and a memorial service for those who died on the Chinook ZD576.
Our thoughts and sympathies remain with the families, friends, and colleagues of all those who died in the Mull of Kintyre crash.
Diplomatic representatives of the United Kingdom to other countries are appointed by the Monarch, usually on advice from the Foreign Secretary.
Diplomatic representatives of the United Kingdom to other countries are appointed by the Monarch, usually on advice from the Foreign Secretary.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office was asked to contribute to the Cabinet Office and Downing Street due diligence process on the appointment of Lord Mandelson as Ambassador to the United States.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office was asked to contribute to the Cabinet Office and Downing Street due diligence process on the appointment of Lord Mandelson as Ambassador to the United States.
I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s statement and release of information on 1st June, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan police.
If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities.
If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities.
If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities.
If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she plans to amend vetting processes within her Department.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she plans to amend vetting processes within her Department.
I refer the Hon Member to the numerous occasions when these issues have been addressed in recent months, including the Foreign Secretary's appearance before the Foreign Affairs Committee on 15 December 2025, and her answers at the last session of departmental oral questions on 21 April. The Hon Member will also be aware that Sir Adrian Fulford is conducting a review of the National Security Vetting system to ensure lessons are learned from the policy and process weaknesses highlighted by the Mandelson case.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much her Department has spent on advertising on podcasts in each of the last three years.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much her Department has spent on advertising on podcasts in each of the last three years.
The requested information is not centrally held, and could only be obtained for the purposes of answering this question at disproportionate cost.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department permits (a) Ministers, (b) special advisers and (3) officials to use (i) Chat GPT, (ii) Google Gemini, (iii) Claude, (iv) Deepseek and (v) Grok as part of their official duties.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department permits (a) Ministers, (b) special advisers and (3) officials to use (i) Chat GPT, (ii) Google Gemini, (iii) Claude, (iv) Deepseek and (v) Grok as part of their official duties.
The Government's use of generative AI is governed by the Generative AI Framework and AI Playbook for the UK Government, which set out the principles for its safe, responsible and effective use. The only generative AI tool currently cleared for use within the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is Microsoft Copilot, which has been assured to the appropriate security standards and approved for use by all staff in the Department.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department has access to services provided under Ministry of Defence contracts with Palantir.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department has access to services provided under Ministry of Defence contracts with Palantir.
Each government contract for externally-provided goods and services will vary in its scope, cost, duration and other factors, depending on the nature of the contract specification and negotiation. Questions about those matters should be directed to the government department with responsibility for each specific contract.