John Baron MP raises British Council and the Integrated Review

MP: All-Party Group concerned by possibility of closures

Yesterday afternoon the Chairman of the British Council All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), John Baron MP, secured and led a House of Commons Adjournment debate on the British Council and the Integrated Review, the Government exercise which is considering all forms of Britain’s international engagement and which should report later this month. Last October the APPG launched a report calling for a soft power strategy to be included in the Integrated Review.

During the debate, John said,

“The UK is often termed a soft power superpower, with recent research showing that the UK is presently the most attractive country in the G20…In order for the UK to retain its lead in this important arena, and in the competition for global influence, it is crucial that we act strategically and also strengthen our soft power assets and offering.”

“In particular, the Government and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office especially should reflect on the fact that if the British Council ceases to have a presence in a given country, it is not only unlikely that a presence would be easily re-established, but that such a move also leaves space for other countries which will be sure to notice and fill the vacuum, and not all those countries may be friendly to our own.”

“I am confident that Members across the House, especially those active in the all-party group that I chair, will be deeply concerned by a decision to reduce the British Council’s network. Furthermore, a retreat on the global stage is difficult to square with the Government’s ambitions for global Britain.”

“Overall, I agree with the Defence Secretary’s assessment that there is not enough of the British Council around the world. I am sure that the Foreign Secretary and the Minister will also share that opinion, and I look forward to hearing their confirmation of this when the Minister responds to this address and debate.”

The FCDO Minister responding, Rt Hon Nigel Adams MP, stated that the British Council will continue to make a large contribution to British soft power, and that the Integrated Review would recognise the value of soft power. He also stated that no decisions had been made with regard to closing British Council offices abroad.

John said afterwards,

“It was a good debate, and I thank the Minister for responding and the other participants for their contributions. I am pleased the Government recognises the importance of the British Council and of soft power, but remain concerned that there may be a reduction in the Council’s physical presence abroad in the near future.”

“Retreating from the world can not be squared with the Government’s ambitions for ‘Global Britain’, and the APPG and I will continue to watch developments very closely.”

Notes to Editors:

• A transcript of the debate can be found online at: https://bit.ly/2Onpl9Z.

• The APPG report can be found online at: https://bit.ly/3kxec2x.