John Baron MP raises British Council closures at Business Questions

MP says Government should not fall at the final fence

Today at Business Questions, John Baron MP asked the Leader of the House of Commons, Rt Hon Jacob Rees-Mogg MP,

“Due to a £10 million shortfall in the generous financial support the Government has so far provided and the cost of running its existing global network, the British Council is in danger of having to close the largest number of its overseas offices in its near 90-year history. Before the Government makes a bad decision which runs counter to ‘Global Britain’ and which will damage our soft power, will the Government make time for a debate so the House can discuss this important matter further to my Urgent Question earlier this week?”

The Leader responded that the British Council is a key soft power asset and undertook to pass on John’s concerns to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Afterwards, John said,

“After the support the Government has so far provided to the British Council, it would be a crying shame if it fell at the final fence by not closing the final £10 million shortfall. A failure to do this will require overseas office closures which are not compatible with ‘Global Britain’ and which will damage our soft power.”