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Written question asked by Matt Bishop (Labour) on Wednesday, 25 February 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 3 March 2026 (named day). It was answered by Hamish Falconer (Labour) on Tuesday, 3 March 2026 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Diplomatic Service: British Nationals Abroad

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to improve consular support for British nationals overseas.

Answer

Providing consular support is a vital public service, with more than 20,000 British people given tailored assistance each year.

We are continually investing in improvements, including integration of AI to improve efficiency, alongside staff training and crisis exercising to give a better service.

We are determined to reassure families that their voices are heard, which is why Ministers have held well over 20 meetings with the families of Brits detained abroad, and continually raise their cases with foreign governments at the highest levels.

In the last full financial year, the FCDO answered over 400,000 requests for consular support from British nationals overseas, and provided more tailored assistance in over 22,000 cases, including support for the families of more than 6,000 British nationals who had died overseas, and 3,500 who had been hospitalised.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
908070
Session
2024-26
Question not reached
Yes
Subjects
British nationals abroad Diplomatic service
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk