MP says budget cuts have affected FCO’s skills, knowledge and capacity
Today in the House of Commons, John Baron MP questioned the Prime Minister, about investment in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), during a statement following the recent G7 summit in Germany.
In the Chamber, John asked,
“Further to comments about Russia and Islamic State, the Prime Minister will be aware that at the time of its annexation by Russia last year, there was no in-house Crimea expert at the FCO; and that, at the height of the Arab Spring, Arabists had to be brought out of retirement. Has the time not come for greater investment at the FCO to help us navigate this increasingly uncertain world?”
The Prime Minister replied that the FCO is hiring more Russian-speakers, and that the British Ambassador in Moscow is doing an excellent job.
Afterwards, John said,
“Britain’s unconvincing responses to both Russia’s recent actions and the Arab Spring can in part be ascribed to a reduction in resources made available to the FCO. Sustained budget cuts under successive Governments have taken their toll on skills, knowledge and capacity.”
“I believe it is essential we properly resource the FCO, in order to learn from past mistakes and be better prepared to face an unstable world. Investment now could save conflict and costs later.”
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