Written Question·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·UIN 17706

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Staff

Tabled: 10 July 2026

Answered: 16 July 2026

Question

Sir John Hayes

Conservative — South Holland and The Deepings

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.

Answer

Seema Malhotra

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.