FCO struggles to help Brits abroad, NAO report finds

24 Nov 05
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is struggling to meet the expectations of British travellers and expatriates because of its unpredictable, shoestring budget, a report from the National Audit Office has found.

25 November 2005

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is struggling to meet the expectations of British travellers and expatriates because of its unpredictable, shoestring budget, a report from the National Audit Office has found.

The FCO's consular services are funded through a £9.65 'consular premium' that is levied on each UK passport issued.

The NAO's report Consular services to British nationals, published on November 24, finds that the premium has remained unchanged since it was introduced in 2003 and represents just a 7% increase in funding since 1999.

'It's not a huge amount of money to be given,' said Tim Banfield, a director at the NAO.

Consular services assist Britons overseas with problems such as illness, accidents and crime. The FCO is required to recover the direct costs of such services, but does not recoup indirect costs such as staffing.

Banfield explained that the FCO was being stretched by an increased demand on its services. There had been a 20% increase in the number of Britons travelling abroad, said Banfield. Those travellers were opting for more risky, independent holidays, rather than package-based tours, to a wider range of destinations.

That increase and changing nature of travel is putting pressure on the ability of the FCO's consular services to assist Britons abroad with problems such as illness, accidents and crime, the NAO said.

The report recommends that the FCO and Treasury regularly review the basis of funding for consular assistance.

'The link to the number of passports issued might not fit the demand it is trying to meet,' said Banfield.

PFnov2005

Did you enjoy this article?

AddToAny

Top