Written Question·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·UIN 40311

Russia: Diplomatic Service

Tabled: 21 March 2025

Answered: 4 April 2025

Question

Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst

Conservative — Solihull West and Shirley

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what proportion of British diplomats posted to Russia have language proficiency in Russian at CEFR level C1 or higher.

Answer

Stephen Doughty

Around 70 members of staff of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office currently have valid exam passes in Russian at C1 level or above. Exam passes are valid for five years.