The following table shows percentages of staff being paid via the FCO payroll split in terms of gender, ethnicity, disability and pay band.
FCO pay band As of 1 April 2006 As of 1 April 2007 As of 1 April 2008 Band A Female Staff 56.5 55.7 56.4 Minority Ethnic 11.9 18 19.3 Disabled 5.1 7.5 7.2 Band B Female Staff 52 50.4 49.9 Minority Ethnic 8.1 10.5 10.4 Disabled 2.9 3.8 3.8 Band C Female Staff 33.4 33.3 33 Minority Ethnic 3.1 4.6 5 Disabled 2.4 3.6 3.4 Band D Female Staff 30.6 31.3 32.1 Minority Ethnic 2.2 3.2 3 Disabled 2.4 3.1 3.3 SMS Female Staff 16.4 17.3 19.4 Minority Ethnic 2 2.9 3.7 Disabled 1.6 2.9 2.4
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has developed a range of initiatives launched at various levels of the organisation in order to recruit a more talented and diverse work force.
For example, since November 2006 we have implemented an undergraduate work experience programme designed to promote ethnic diversity and social inclusion, as well as taking part in Cabinet Office-led internships for students from ethnic minority backgrounds and for students with registered disabilities.
Since September 2007 we have opened up all of our Senior Management Structure jobs to candidates from across Whitehall.
In addition, in 2007 we organised an external recruitment campaign at Band D level, targeted at a diverse range of individuals from backgrounds outside of the FCO with the skills we require.