Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), often called the Foreign Office, is the ministry of foreign affairs and a ministerial department of the government of the United Kingdom. It helps look after the country's interests around the world.

The office started on 2 September 2020 when two older groups joined together: the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the Department for International Development (DFID). The FCO itself was made in 1968 by joining the Foreign Office (FO) and the Commonwealth Office. The Foreign Office began even earlier, in 1782.

The leader of the FCDO is called the secretary of state for foreign, Commonwealth and development affairs, or “foreign secretary.” This job is one of the top four important positions in the Cabinet, known as the Great Offices of State, together with the Prime Minister, Chancellor of the Exchequer and Home Secretary. Yvette Cooper became Foreign Secretary on 5 September 2025 after the 2025 British cabinet reshuffle.

Every day, the FCDO is run by a civil servant named the permanent under-secretary of state for foreign affairs, who also leads His Majesty's Diplomatic Service. Sir Oliver Robbins was in this role from 8 January 2025 until he left on 16 April 2026.

The work of the FCDO is checked by the Foreign Affairs Select Committee to make sure it spends money wisely and follows good policies.

Responsibilities

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office helps keep the United Kingdom safe. It works to stop threats like terrorism and weapons. It also helps the UK grow by supporting trade and investment. The office makes sure British people traveling or living abroad get the help they need.

The office also looks after the British Overseas Territories. These areas have been managed in different ways over time. Some people think the way they are handled could be improved to better connect them with the UK government.

Ministers

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has several ministers who help lead the department. Some of these ministers are part of a special group called the cabinet. Their names are shown in bold in the list.

History

The Foreign Office started in March 1782 by joining two older groups. In 1968, it merged with the Commonwealth Office to become the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).

In 2020, the FCO merged with the Department for International Development to form the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). This change aimed to connect aid spending with the UK’s overseas goals. Some leaders felt this might affect the UK’s respect worldwide.

International Academy

Main article: International Academy (United Kingdom)

In 2015, a special school for diplomats was started. This school helps government workers who work with other countries. It was later renamed the International Academy when the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office was created in 2020. The academy works with universities and diplomats to share ideas and learn together.

Programme Funds

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) uses its budget to fund projects that match its goals. This funding helps countries in need and supports traditional diplomatic work.

The FCDO manages two major UK government funds. These include the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund, which helps reduce risks of conflict, and the Prosperity Fund, which supports economic growth in partner countries. There is also the Global Innovation Fund, which invests in new ideas to improve lives.

The FCDO also supports academic funds, such as Chevening scholarships and Marshall scholarships, along with other programs like the Domestic Programme Fund and the Overseas Territories Environment and Climate Fund.

FCDO Services

In April 2006, a new group called FCO Services, now known as FCDO Services, was created to help with important tasks. By April 2008, it could offer its services to other government departments and even businesses.

FCDO Services works all over the world in many places. It offers helpful services such as digital support, building security, logistics, translation, and technical security.

The group is responsible to the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs. It helps the FCDO and other government departments. Since 2011, it has been building a secure environment for UK government organizations to use online services safely.

FCDO Services is a public group that does not get money from taxes. It makes money by selling its services to customers in the UK and around the world. Its leader is responsible to the Secretary of State and to Parliament for how well the group works.

Global Response Office

The FCDO Global Response Office works every day. It helps British people who are traveling or living outside the United Kingdom. If something urgent happens, like losing a passport or getting very sick, this office is ready to help.

Library of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Records Department

Old papers from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office were given to King’s College London in 2007 to save money. These papers have 90,000 items from the 1500s up to now.

Buildings

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has important buildings in the United Kingdom. These include:

• Foreign and Commonwealth Office Joint Headquarters Kings Charles Street, Whitehall, King Charles St, London
• Joint Headquarters Abercrombie House, East Kilbride
• Hanslope Park, Hanslope, Milton Keynes. This location has important services.
• Lancaster House, St James's, London. This mansion is used for special events and to welcome important guests from other countries. It also holds the Government Wine Cellar.

The FCO used the Old Admiralty Building in Whitehall, London, in the past.

Main Building

The main building of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office was built between 1861 and 1868. It was designed by architect George Gilbert Scott in an Italianate style. The building was shared by four government departments. During the Second World War, part of the building was used for secret work.

Later, the building became too small, but people worked to save it. In 1997, after restoration, the building was open to the public once a year during Open House Weekend. In 2014, work started to update the building so all employees could work there together.

Devolution

International relations are handled from Whitehall for all of the United Kingdom and its territories. But, the devolved administrations also have offices in places like the European Union, the U.S., and China. These offices work with British diplomatic missions. They help support their own economies and make sure their interests are part of British foreign policy. Ministers from these areas can join international talks when the British Government allows it, like in EU fisheries discussions.