In brief
London has announced that British diplomats stationed in six overseas cities—including Buenos Aires and Santiago—will no longer receive hardship bonuses. The decision removes fifteen of the 144 approved hardship posts, sparking criticism from Conservative MPs who argue the scheme unfairly burdens taxpayers. The Foreign Office insists the allowance is standard for all high‑risk postings and reflects the challenges of diplomatic life. Analysts note the move highlights shifting priorities in UK foreign policy and public‑service budgeting.
UK diplomats no longer get hardship bonus for being posted to Buenos Aires
British diplomats in six locations around the world, including Buenos Aires and Santiago in South America, will no longer get hardship payments for working in dangerous cities.
Hardship bonuses and respite breaks are currently granted to staff in cities considered risky—like Beirut, Pretoria or New Delhi. The UK government has removed Santiago, Panama City, Pyongyang, Bamako and Sarajevo from the list, alongside the two South American capitals. A total of 144 locations remain eligible, covering both trouble spots and popular holiday destinations such as Bali and Rio de Janeiro, prompting criticism from the Conservatives.
Kevin Hollinrake, Tory chairman, said civil servants receiving extra pay for such areas is unfair on taxpayers and pledged to cut civil‑service size if Conservatives return to power. He added: “These arrangements are not new and have applied consistently under successive governments for decades.”
The Foreign Office defended the scheme, noting that diplomats serve in some of the toughest physical and political environments globally and that compensation reflects the circumstances of each posting.
For more context, read the Foreign Office’s last release of 2009 debt allowances, where the highest payment was for Karachi, Pakistan at £26,647, and Buenos Aires at £1,517.
