Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

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.