13 July 2007
Civil servants have condemned a Foreign and Commonwealth Office decision to axe language services for government staff involved in anti-terrorism work.
The Prospect union, which represents specialist Whitehall staff, said the proposal, announced on July 5, was 'ill thought-out and damaging'.
The FCO plans to contract out the services provided by the department's Language School, cutting 104 civil service posts. The school offers training in 41 languages – including teaching advanced Arabic and Farsi to security service personnel, diplomats and mandarins.
Its services were beefed up following a critical report by MPs three years ago, which recommended bringing specialist language staff in-house.
However, the FCO has confirmed that the department would be shutting down the service as part of Whitehall's £21.5bn annual efficiency programme. Permanent secretary Sir Peter Ricketts told MPs that the school is 'not commercially viable'.
Prospect accused the FCO of a 'complete reversal of policy.' 'The saving per year is estimated to be £1.5m but the potential damage to the future of language skills is incalculable,' an internal briefing on the issue states. The union disputes ministers' claims that private contractors would match the school's quality of teaching.
Ricketts argued that the revised system of language training would be 15%-40% cheaper, more flexible and allow more group training.
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