UK consul service could be slashed

CONSULAR services to Britons in France could be under threat as the British Foreign Office struggles to make drastic savings over the next three years.

Though the exact areas to be cut are not known yet, the Foreign Office has been asked by the Treasury to plan for cuts of from 25-40%.

The savings are part of wider government pledges to reduce public spending.

Foreign Secretary William Hague has said his plans for the future of the ministry’s services, which include running embassies and consulates, will involve a tighter focus on the UK Trade and Industry (UKTI) work. This involves promoting British business abroad and encouraging foreign businesses to invest in the UK.

While the British Embassy in Paris does a significant amount of UKTI work, as do the Paris and Bordeaux consulates, France’s other consulates in Lille, Lyons and Marseille focus on helping British residents or holidaymakers.

A need to find at least 25% cuts places a question mark over these.

Mr Hague said in a recent speech at the British Embassy in Tokyo: “We will inject a new commercialism into the work of our Foreign Office and into the definition of our country’s international objectives, ensuring we develop strong political relationships which will help British business to thrive overseas.”

Consulates focus on direct assistance to British nationals while the embassy plays a more diplomatic role.

They assist British families in France with both practical day-to-day matters and with advice and hands-on help in a crisis, such as accidents and hospitalisation or when facing arrest. Marseille consul Simon Taylor told Connexion they will “do whatever we can to smooth things through”.

They also help people who have lost, or had stolen, important documents, issue emergency passports and arrange legal acts such as witnessing wills and certifying copies of documents.

The FCO spokeswoman said that, while the major new cuts will relate to three years starting from the 2011-12 British financial year, the ministry is already aiming for £55 million in savings in this financial year.

“As far as any effect on the embassy and consulates in France goes, we will not know more until October when a full government spending review has been done and we know how much the Foreign Office has to cut,” the spokeswoman said.

Asked about possible cuts to overseas missions, Mr Hague did not give a direct answer: “It is certainly part of my approach that Britain must maintain its diplomatic network,” he was quoted as saying by the Financial Times.