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Written question asked by Wendy Morton (Conservative) on Monday, 3 February 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 5 February 2025. It was answered by Hamish Falconer (Labour) on Monday, 10 February 2025 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.


British Council: Closures

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Q66 of the oral evidence given by the Chief Executive of the British Council to the Foreign Affairs Committee on 13 January 2025, HC 609, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the closure of British Council offices in up to 40 countries on the UK's (a) soft power and b) security in Europe.

Answer

The British Council is operationally independent from the UK Government. Decisions relating to the size and model of its overseas network are operational matters for the British Council.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) works with the British Council to ensure strategic alignment between FCDO objectives and British Council activity.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
28081
Session
2024-26
Related items
The work of the British Council
Monday, 13 January 2025
Parliamentary committees
House of Commons
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Closures Europe Security British Council Soft power
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk