Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many staff in her Department (a) did not retain employment following completion of their probationary period and (b) had their probationary period extended in each of the last five years.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office's (FCDO) probation policy and guidance advises managers on the steps to take to assess a new employee's suitability for the post and to provide support to enable them to succeed. It also advises on the steps to take where performance, attendance or conduct are not satisfactory. This can include exiting the employee or extending their probation to provide further evidence for a final decision on their suitability. The FCDO holds information on extensions to probation and dismissals during probation since September 2020. Prior to then information held is for the FCO only.