Key facts
- British diplomats will no longer receive hardship payments for postings to six global locations.
- Buenos Aires and Santiago are among the cities removed from the list.
- The Foreign Office stated the payments are a duty of care for staff in challenging environments.
- Critics argue the payments are unfair to taxpayers, citing popular destinations.
- The scheme has been in place for decades under successive governments.
British diplomats posted to six locations worldwide, including Buenos Aires and Santiago, will no longer receive hardship bonuses. The UK government has removed these cities from the list of locations where staff are compensated for difficult living conditions, high crime, or health risks.
The Foreign Office has provided these extra payments and respite breaks for over 30 years to support diplomats and their families in challenging environments. Factors considered for the allowance include security, climate, isolation, and other impacts on quality of life. While many of the 144 remaining locations are considered trouble spots, some are also popular destinations, drawing criticism from Conservative politicians.
Tory chairman Kevin Hollinrake argued that civil servants receiving extra pay for postings to places like Bali and Cape Town is unfair to taxpayers. He pledged to reduce the size of the civil service if the Conservatives return to power, stating such practices have no place in government.
However, a spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office defended the scheme, emphasizing the challenging nature of diplomatic postings and the government's duty of care to its staff. The spokesperson noted that compensation reflects the circumstances of the posting, similar to provisions in the private sector. The arrangements have been consistently applied under successive governments.