Members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union staged a half-day strike at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) headquarters in Whitehall and at its key consular hub in East Kilbride on 24 September. The action is the first in a series of walkouts protesting plans to cut up to 2,000 jobs—around 25 % of the FCDO workforce—under a post-merger restructuring. Although core diplomatic functions are unaffected, the strike has immediate mobility implications: the FCDO’s Consular Services Directorate issues emergency travel documents, legalises corporate paperwork and supports UK nationals abroad. PCS representatives warned that backlogs in emergency passport issuance, foreign document legalisation and crisis assistance will grow if cuts proceed. Business-travel managers should expect slower turnaround for “same-day” travel documents and apostilles needed for overseas assignments. The union plans a full-day strike on 28 September, coinciding with peak autumn travel, and has not ruled out escalating to UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) operations if talks fail. Employers are advised to submit documentation early, monitor FCDO service updates and explore alternative legalisation providers where possible. The walkout also raises questions about the government’s ability to meet its target of a fully digital consular platform by 2027 if experienced staff exit.
Source: Counterfire
