Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 14
14
Acknowledged
Posts routinely fail to monitor and maintain properties, prioritising reactive over preventative maintenance.
Conclusion
Posts have responsibility for maintaining their estates. This is funded through budgets allocated to posts by FCDO’s geographic directorates.36 The Head of Mission in each post—the Ambassador or High Commissioner— has the discretion to decide, within the broad budget areas allocated, how 29 Qq 27, 65 30 Q 27; HMT, Spending Review 2025, CP 1336, 11 June 2025 31 Q 28 32 Q 61 33 Q 32; C&AG’s report, para 1.2 34 C&AG’s report, para 2.9 35 Q 32 36 Q 57; C&AG’s report, para 2.17 11 they will use it locally.37 As we noted in our June 2025 report on Condition of government property, a failure to carry out regular maintenance can lead to bigger problems, such as water leaks or roofs collapsing.38 Reactive repairs cost more than preventative maintenance and are poor value for money.39 FCDO has, however, historically prioritised spending on addressing immediate risks, rather than on carrying out all required preventative maintenance and has found that posts routinely fail to monitor and maintain their property.40 FCDO plans to publish in October 2025 a revised maintenance strategy, drawing on lessons learned from its outsourced facilities management contracts in Europe and Asia, which will give posts clearer guidance on their maintenance responsibilities.41
Government Response Summary
FCDO’s overseas posts are responsible for managing their own operations, including their estates, with support from the Estates, Security and Network Directorate (ESND).
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
FCDO’s overseas posts are responsible for managing their own operations, including their estates. Within FCDO, the Estates, Security and Network Directorate (ESND) supports posts to manage their estate by setting corporate standards, providing guidance and providing technical assistance.6