The UK is often termed a soft power superpower, with research showing the UK as the most attractive country in the G20. The British Council since the 1930s has been promoting British culture, English language abroad, facilitating cultural exchanges and building trust between the UK and other countries. Despite recent budget increases for defence, proper financial support for soft power assets like the British Council is vital. The Minister of Defence agrees that understanding each other's issues can avoid conflicts. The all-party group recommended a soft power strategy at the heart of the integrated review, providing parity with hard power assets. Recent years have seen the British Council relying more on its commercial activities due to reduced state funding compared to similar organisations in France, Germany and Japan. The coronavirus pandemic has been hard for the council, but discussions are ongoing. I urge the Government to think strategically about our soft power and take the long view rather than short-term decisions.