To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of vacancies in her Department in the last 12 months required candidates to have at least a grade C in (a) English and (b) mathematics GCSE. (96749)

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has advertised for 382 permanent positions in the last 12 months. Of these vacancies, 162 (42 per cent.) specifically required at least a GCSE grade C in Mathematics and 268 (70 per cent.) at least a GCSE grade C in English language. Of the 114 positions where no such specific requirement was made, 73 required higher educational qualifications or professional qualifications. For the remaining 41 positions, candidates were required to possess relevant experience or demonstrable competences. Examples of such positions include web editor and help desk officers.