The UK Foreign Office is facing renewed criticism after senior MPs and conflict-prevention experts warned that plans to shut down a key department responsible for monitoring emerging conflicts and refugee crises will weaken Britain’s national security. The restructuring comes as the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) prepares for major staffing cuts amid a tightening budget.
The FCDO’s migration and conflict directorate, employing around 100 civil servants, is scheduled to be abolished at the end of the year, with its responsibilities redistributed across the department. The unit currently provides critical analysis and technical support to governments and civil society groups in conflict zones including Syria, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Yemen and the Philippines. Its closure has raised questions about the UK’s long-term strategy at a time when Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has publicly committed to intensifying peace-building efforts worldwide.
Part of Wider Cuts Impacting 2,000 FCDO Roles
The move forms part of a wider restructuring plan that threatens as many as 2,000 jobs — nearly a quarter of the FCDO workforce — and has already damaged morale among UK diplomats. During a select committee hearing earlier this year, FCDO permanent secretary Oliver Robbins confirmed the department was operating under a real-terms funding reduction, worsened by the government’s decision to reduce international aid spending to 0.3% of national income.
MPs Warn of “Devastating” Impact on Conflict Prevention
Sarah Champion, Labour MP and chair of the International Development Committee, warned that removing specialist teams before the full impact of the aid cuts is understood “will put lives at risk”. She called for an immediate halt to the restructuring, stressing that once the FCDO’s expertise in conflict prevention is lost, it cannot easily be rebuilt. Her warning echoes anxiety across Westminster, where cross-party figures argue that the directorate plays a critical role in stabilisation efforts.
Cross-Party Group Urges Government to Reverse Decision
Alex Ballinger and Lord McConnell, chairs of the all-party parliamentary group on conflict prevention, have written to Deputy National Security Adviser Matthew Collins demanding a review of the decision. Ballinger said conflict overseas “undermines the UK’s own security when it escalates and spills over borders”, warning that dismantling the unit will limit Britain’s ability to anticipate crises that drive migration, disrupt global trade routes, and increase pressure on European borders.
UK’s Peace-Building Legacy at Risk
Lord McConnell, former Scottish Labour leader, noted that the UK has long been regarded as a key mediator in global peace agreements, citing previous contributions to conflict resolution in Ethiopia, the Philippines, and diplomatic engagements involving India and Pakistan. He warned that the UK’s ability to prevent and resolve conflicts must be an explicit priority of national security policy, supported by specialised funding and experienced teams.
Union Lodges Dispute Over Lack of Consultation
Concerns are also rising inside the FCDO workforce. The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union has formally raised a dispute over what it alleges was insufficient consultation on the staffing cuts. Union officials warn that the restructuring risks destabilising teams already stretched by multiple international crises, including conflicts in Ukraine, Sudan and the Middle East.
FCDO Rejects Claims and Insists Priorities Remain Intact
An FCDO spokesperson defended the overhaul, saying the department is undergoing a modernisation effort aimed at becoming “more agile, technically enabled, and focused on the UK’s strategic priorities.” They dismissed claims that the closure of the directorate signals a downgrade in conflict prevention or migration policy. According to the spokesperson, illegal migration will soon be overseen by a dedicated directorate, while hundreds of staff across the UK and overseas continue working on peace efforts in key regions.
UK Facing Complex Security Challenges
The warnings come at a time when the UK is navigating a growing number of security threats, including instability in the Red Sea affecting shipping costs, escalating violence in Sudan triggering mass displacement, and continued pressure on international asylum systems. With global conflicts driving migration figures and straining domestic resources, critics argue that dismantling the UK’s specialised conflict-analysis unit sends the wrong message at a critical moment.
