Flying Home: The FCO’s consular response to the COVID-19 pandemic Contents

1Introduction

1.The COVID-19 pandemic left 1.3 million UK citizens stranded around the world, many of whom were in need of urgent consular support.1 The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), like other departments, had to respond rapidly to the emerging crisis. Its diplomatic and consular capabilities were tested more severely than at any other time of peace. In April, we published our assessment of the FCO’s diplomatic response to the crisis.2 We found that the FCO had not done enough to ensure a clear and transparent response to the pandemic and we recommended that the Government establish a ‘G20 for Public Health’.3 The focus of this report is an evaluation of the FCO’s consular response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2.We took oral evidence from Ministers and officials over three sessions between March and June. To add to our evidence base, we wanted to hear directly from members of the public who had first-hand experience of using consular services during the pandemic. We conducted a survey calling for personal stories from UK citizens stuck abroad and received over 1,250 responses. We received both positive and negative stories from those who had sought help from consular services. Further details are set out in the appendices to this report.

3.During the peak of the pandemic, the scale of the pressure on our consular services was unprecedented. The situation was made particularly difficult for the FCO by the large numbers of UK citizens who were travelling abroad at the time. We know that many FCO staff went above and beyond to deliver admirable service in extremely difficult circumstances. However, in the course of our inquiry we heard from many members of the public about their disappointing and even distressing experiences of trying to access consular support. This evidence is, by its nature, anecdotal, and is from a self-selecting group of people who had particular experiences that motivated them to respond, so it may not be representative of all experiences. Yet the stories submitted to us are of sufficient number and gravity that they give us significant cause for concern and cannot be dismissed. We are grateful to everyone who gave evidence to this inquiry, and especially those who spoke to us about their experiences.


1 Q 165

2 Foreign Affairs Committee, First Report of Session 2019–21, Viral Immunity—The FCO’s role in building a coalition against COVID-19, HC 239

3 Foreign Affairs Committee, First Report of Session 2019–21, Viral Immunity—The FCO’s role in building a coalition against COVID-19, HC 239




Published: 28 July 2020