Diplomatic Service
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his speech at the British Chambers of Commerce on 20 March 2025, how many diplomats have been seconded to businesses since 20 March 2025; what the (a) cost and (b) staffing requirement will be of the Diplomatic Advisory Hub; which priority markets have been identified; whether he has set (i) targets and (ii) key performance indicators for ambassadors in priority markets; when he plans to announce the programme of domestic roadshows; on which dates the quarterly Lancaster House Business Engagement Series will take place in (A) 2025 and (B) future years; and which ambassadors have produced Strategic Economic Growth Plans.
Answered by Catherine West
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is driving UK growth across the new Industrial Strategy's priority sectors through Strategic Economic Growth Plans. These prioritise markets with the biggest potential to drive UK Growth, including the EU, the US and China, and a range of other economically important markets, such as India and Japan. The Foreign Secretary chairs regular Delivery Boards to monitor and accelerate delivery across the FCDO towards the Government's Growth Mission, for which key performance indicators are being developed, and agreed. The FCDO is planning a number of events for the Lancaster House Business Engagement Series, including a first event set for July. The FCDO is progressing work on a range of business placements, the first due later this year, and working with the British Chambers of Commerce on plans for the Diplomatic Advisory Hub.
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