Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 21
21
Ageing heritage assets in FCDO's overseas estate require £2.1 billion for essential capital projects.
Conclusion
FCDO’s overseas estate contains a number of large properties, including Embassies, official Residences and compounds.55 Many of these properties, such as the Washington Embassy or the British Ambassador’s Residence in Paris, are large heritage assets which perform a key role in supporting the achievement of the UK government’s diplomatic aims and operations. The age of such assets means that they often require extensive work to make them safe and fit for purpose.56 Repairing, refurbishing or replacing large estate assets can require FCDO to carry out significant capital 50 Q 51 51 C&AG’s report para 1.22 52 Q 74 53 C&AG’s report para 1.23; Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Annual Report and Accounts 2023–24, HC 63, 29 July 2024 54 Qq 46, 74 55 C&AG’s report, paras 1.2, 1.6 56 Qq 71-72 14 projects, and FCDO told us that it is seeking to deliver 120 capital projects. FCDO estimated in April 2025 that its total capital requirement for its pipeline of such projects was £2.1 billion. FCDO told us it has now assessed all its proposed projects against its prioritisation scorecard, to identify those projects that are most urgent and should be started first.57