UK diplomats no longer get hardship bonus for being posted to Buenos Aires
UK Diplomats No Longer Get Hardship Allowance for Six International Posts
Ninoda.com – UK diplomats no longer get hardship payments for their assignments in six major cities worldwide, marking a significant shift in Foreign Office policy. British diplomats stationed across international locations, including the South American capitals of Buenos Aires and Santiago, will no longer receive hardship payments for their overseas assignments. The Foreign Office announced the changes in its latest published list, which removes these cities alongside Panama City, Pyongyang, Bamako, and Sarajevo from the eligibility roster. This decision means that UK diplomats no longer get hardship compensation for postings to these previously qualifying destinations.
Understanding the Hardship Payment System
For three decades, the Foreign Office has provided additional compensation to civil servants working in locations deemed challenging. These payments address security concerns, health risks, climate conditions, natural disasters, and isolation factors that impact quality of life for diplomatic staff and their families. The allowance system covers cities with elevated danger levels, high crime rates like Pretoria, and significant air pollution in places such as New Delhi and Beijing. Staff members may also receive respite breaks when assessments determine that additional time away is necessary for physical or mental wellbeing. When UK diplomats no longer get hardship payments, it reflects a recalibration of which locations are considered sufficiently difficult to warrant extra financial support.
Historical Payment Data and Current Changes
While amounts are not regularly disclosed, the most recent comprehensive breakdown came in 2009. At that time, Karachi, Pakistan offered the highest compensation at £26,647 for civil servants and their spouses, followed by Abuja, Nigeria at £14,804. The hardship payment for couples posted to Buenos Aires stood at £1,517, while Santiago provided £777.
These arrangements are not new, and indeed have applied consistently under successive governments for a number of decades.
Lord Wood of Anfield, Foreign Office minister, explained to parliamentary questions from Tory peer Lord Moylan that hardship assessments consider multiple factors requiring staff to take additional breaks for health benefits.
Political Backlash Emerges
The updated list includes 144 locations, encompassing both troubled regions and popular vacation spots like Bali and Rio De Janeiro. This mix has drawn criticism from Conservative politicians who view the payments as excessive. Tory chairman Kevin Hollinrake argued that civil servants receiving supplementary compensation for working in certain areas places an unfair burden on taxpayers. He highlighted that destinations such as Bangkok, Cape Town, Kuala Lumpur, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Muscat continue to qualify for hardship payments.
Whilst businesses and families are paying higher taxes to fund this government's policies, civil servants are being sent on taxpayer-funded jollies to places like Bali, Cape Town and the Maldives.
This kind of nonsense has no place in government.
Hollinrake committed to reducing the civil service size if the Conservatives regain power, emphasizing his concern over what he characterizes as unnecessary spending.
Official Defense of the Scheme
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has maintained strong support for the hardship payment program. A department spokesperson emphasized the global nature of diplomatic service and the necessity of proper staff support.
British diplomats serve their country around the globe, including in some of the toughest and most challenging physical and political environments in the world.
We have a duty of care to ensure our staff are properly supported, and compensation and other provisions reflect the circumstances of the posting, as it would be in any private sector job.
The department stressed that the compensation structure mirrors practices found in private sector employment, ensuring that diplomatic personnel receive appropriate recognition for challenging postings worldwide. Even though UK diplomats no longer get hardship payments for six cities, the overall system remains robust and comprehensive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which cities lost their hardship allowance? The six cities that lost their hardship allowance are Buenos Aires, Santiago, Panama City, Pyongyang, Bamako, and Sarajevo.
How much was the Buenos Aires hardship payment? According to 2009 data, the hardship payment for couples posted to Buenos Aires was £1,517.
Why are some vacation destinations still included? The updated list includes 144 locations, and the Foreign Office maintains that diplomatic work in popular destinations still involves challenging conditions requiring staff support.
What factors determine hardship eligibility? Hardship assessments consider security concerns, health risks, climate conditions, natural disasters, isolation factors, crime rates, and air pollution levels.
Will the policy change if the Conservatives win the next election? Tory chairman Kevin Hollinrake has committed to reducing the civil service size and reviewing hardship payments if the Conservatives regain power.