MP: Government must find extra £10 million to halt closures Since 1934 the British Council has been promoting British culture and the English language overseas as one of our country’s key soft power institutions. The coronavirus pandemic hit its finances hard, as the commercial activities (such as running exams and teaching English) which provide...
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British Council
John Baron MP condemns British Council country closures
John Baron MP questions Government over the effect of ODA reductions on the British Council
MP concerned at possible effects on arms-length bodies Due to the financial pressures of the coronavirus pandemic, the Government has announced its decision to temporarily cut ODA (international aid) spending from 0.7% of GNI to 0.5%. During an Urgent Question today in the Commons into ODA spending reductions, John Baron MP asked, “The Minister...
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John Baron MP raises defence diplomacy during Defence Statement
MP disagrees with cuts to conventional forces Yesterday the Secretary of State for Defence, Rt Hon Ben Wallace MP, gave a Statement in the House of Commons regarding the Command Paper on the future of the Armed Forces. This is bound up with the Integrated Review into British foreign policy, which was launched last...
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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...
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John Baron MP presses Prime Minister on Integrated Review and Soft Power
MP welcomes increase in defence spending Today in the House of Commons the Prime Minister, Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP, gave an update on the Integrated Review into Britain’s international engagement. The Prime Minister announced the largest boost to our country’s defence in the last 30 years, investing an extra £24 billion in our...
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John Baron MP raises British Council at PMQs
MP: British Council’s links will be even more important after crisis Today in the House of Commons, John Baron MP raised the situation of the British Council, the UK organisation that promotes the English language and British culture abroad. Given the worldwide coronavirus emergency has closed down its commercial operations, it is in a...
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John Baron MP hosts British Council Future Leaders Connect Forum
MP encourages young people to apply Last week in Parliament John Baron MP, the Chairman of the British Council All-Party Parliamentary Group, hosted a networking session for 50 future leaders from 16 countries as part of the Future Leaders Connect Forum. The Forum is the British Council’s programme that aims to bring together the...
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John Baron MP questions Defence Secretary on Defence Diplomacy
MP: UK is a soft power superpower Yesterday during Defence Questions in the House of Commons, John Baron MP asked the Secretary of State for Defence, Rt Hon Penny Mordaunt MP, about defence diplomacy. John asked, “The British Council APPG, of which I am Chairman, has been overseeing an enquiry into aspects of the...
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John Baron MP invites FCO Minister to soft power enquiry
MP will be in touch soon Today at Foreign & Commonwealth Office Questions, John Baron MP raised the British Council All-Party Parliamentary Group’s enquiry into the UK’s future soft power relationship with Europe, and invited the Minister, Rt Hon Mark Field MP, to give evidence. John is the Chairman of the British Council APPG....
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John Baron MP raises British Council funding
MP says Council’s work must not be jeopardised At Foreign & Commonwealth Office Questions in the House of Commons yesterday, John Baron MP raised reductions in funding to the British Council with the Government. According to present plans, the Government grant to the Council to fund its activities in developed countries will shortly cease...
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