Larry, the longstanding Downing Street cat, has prompted discussions within the British civil service about succession planning after nearly 13 years as the official mouser. Adopted in 2011 during David Cameron’s tenure as prime minister, Larry has witnessed six prime ministers, becoming an enduring fixture at 10 Downing Street. A former adviser to Rishi Sunak, Cass Horowitz, recently disclosed that officials considered introducing a second cat to ease the transition when Larry eventually retires or passes away. However, after behavioral assessments, experts concluded that Larry’s dominant personality would not tolerate a rival feline, leading to the abandonment of the plan. Current Prime Minister Andy Burnham, Larry’s seventh, confirmed that his dog Axel will remain in the north of England, citing an inability to coexist with Larry. A No 10 spokesperson added that there are no plans to bring in a new cat under the Labour government.

Separately, it has come to light that Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) officials serving in locations such as Bali, the Maldives, and Abu Dhabi receive extra holiday allowances and tax-free bonuses of up to £10,000 annually as compensation for hardship postings. These benefits aim to offset the physical and mental strains of working in environments characterized by security risks, crime, or pollution. However, critics have questioned the inclusion of certain destinations, including Abu Dhabi and Cape Town, which are widely regarded as safe and popular tourist sites. While the FCDO maintains an evolving list of approximately 150 hardship postings—recently removing Bamako, Mali—some favored holiday spots like Muscat and the Turks and Caicos Islands remain on it.

Reports indicate that some civil servants have even used their hardship leave to travel between other designated hardship locations on government-funded flights. Since the Labour government took office, there have been at least a dozen such trips originating from New Delhi. Parliamentary scrutiny has become more limited, with ministers denying Freedom of Information requests and withholding answers to parliamentary questions on national security grounds.

The revelations have sparked criticism from opposition politicians and tax watchdogs. Conservative MP Kevin Hollinrake condemned the allowances as “taxpayer-funded jollies,” accusing the government of burdening businesses and families while civil servants benefit from lavish perks. William Yarwood, director of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, called for an urgent review and greater transparency regarding the costs and criteria of hardship allowances.

An FCDO spokesperson defended the scheme, emphasizing the importance of supporting diplomats posted in some of the world’s most challenging physical and political environments, and reaffirming the government’s duty of care for its overseas staff.