Corps news – Embassy 31

London scores top marks in Embassy Census

Envoys have given London top grades as a diplomatic posting, but factors such as the erosion of privileges and the spiralling cost of living could threaten the capital’s ratings, a recent diplomatic census revealed.

Overall, scores showed an improved perception of London compared to 2008. Among those surveyed, nearly one in five (19 per cent) rated London as their best posting, up from 13 per cent in 2008.  Only 10 per cent were miserable in London, giving the city a below-par score of under five out of 10.

Compared to when they first started working in London, 19 per cent said diplomatic life had improved, while 14 per cent said the city had deteriorated. Ten per cent had mixed feelings, saying some things had improved (such as networking opportunities) but other aspects had become harder (notably the loss of privileges and the increased cost of living).

Despite the high rating, 71 per cent of diplomats said there were aspects of diplomatic life in the UK that could be improved.

The most common grievance was the relative lack of privileges compared to other diplomatic capitals, particularly as far as tax was concerned. With VAT rising to 20 per cent from January this year, a number of respondents urged the Foreign Office to consider issuing tax exemption cards. The congestion charge, which also increased in January, is considered a tax from which many diplomats believe they should be exempted under the Vienna Conventions.

Diplomats appealed for reciprocal treatment, as one envoy commented: “The UK should be realistic and be willing to offer what British diplomats enjoy abroad.”