John Baron MP questions Minister on British Council cuts

MP: 40 closures would be a disaster

During today’s Adjournment debate in the House of Commons, which was called by John Baron MP, Rt Hon James Cleverly MP, FCDO Minister, was questioned about British Council funding. John is the Chairman of the British Council All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), which opposed the Government’s decision in the summer to require the closure of 20 British Council overseas offices. Due to further budget cuts, a further 20 offices are now also slated for closure, resulting in 40 closures in total.

In the Chamber, John asked,

“The APPG was very concerned when it emerged that the British Council is facing the closure of a further 20 offices, resulting in 40 closures in total. This stems from the FCDO’s decision to cut the British Council’s funding allocation still further over the coming spending review period – despite its own budget increasing by 21% over this same three-year timeframe.”

“Can we have clarity as to whether these cuts will take place, because uncertainty is helpful to no-one, not least to the British Council when it comes to planning? If it is the Government’s intention, then I urge it to think again. These mass closures will do enormous damage to our soft power, be viewed as an unwelcome retreat from the international stage and will leave the door open to our competitors.”

The Minister thanked John for holding the debate, and suggested that the current funding settlement for the British Council has not yet been finalised.

John said afterwards,

“The debate was useful to put the APPG’s concerns clearly on the record. I take heart that the funding settlement has not been finalised – there is scope for a favourable outcome. Closing 40 overseas offices would be a disaster, and I left the Minister is no doubt about that.”