John Baron MP questions Prime Minister on British Council funding

MP: British Council network must be protected from further closures

Today at Prime Minister’s Questions, John Baron MP questioned Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP about funding for the British Council. Pressures on the British Council’s finances during the pandemic, and the Government’s refusal to fully plug the shortfall, have required the closure of 20 of its overseas offices. Reductions to its budget in the forthcoming financial year may require the shutting down of operations in a further 20 countries.

In the Chamber, John asked,

“According to recent research, the UK is the most attractive country in the world amongst young people across the G20. Amidst intense soft power competition from other countries, including China, can the Prime Minister reassure me and other members of the British Council APPG of the Government’s commitment to meet the British Council’s funding requirements to ensure it avoids having to close yet more overseas operations and allow it to focus all its energies on retaining our number one spot?”

The Prime Minister responded that the British Council is an excellent institution, and highlighted some of the support the Government had given it in recent years.

John said afterwards,

“The British Council is one of the ‘jewels in the crown’ of our country’s soft power, and is already having to shut down its operations in 20 countries because the Government did not fully plug its financial shortfall.”

“If the Government does not provide sufficient funding for the coming year, the British Council faces the real prospect of withdrawing from a further 20 countries. This would be a damaging blow to our soft power, and is not compatible with the Government’s Integrated Review or its ambitions for Global Britain.”

Notes to Editors:

• John is the Chairman of the British Council All-Party Parliamentary Group.