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British Council
08 September 2021
Lead MP
Wendy Chamberlain
North East Fife
Lib Dem
Responding Minister
Nigel Adams
Tags
EmploymentForeign Affairs
Word Count: 4282
Other Contributors: 5
At a Glance
Wendy Chamberlain raised concerns about british council in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The Minister is urged to address the contradiction between paying lip service to the British Council's importance and undermining it through funding cuts. Wendy Chamberlain asks for reassurance that he will fight to maintain his Department's budget, and considers ring-fencing the current level of grant funding the British Council receives.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The British Council is facing significant funding cuts despite its historical and current importance as a cultural institution. The Government's refusal to provide financial support exacerbates the issue, leading to office closures and staffing reductions globally. Teaching revenues are back to only about 50% of pre-pandemic levels, representing a loss of hundreds of millions of pounds over the year. Cuts amount to £80 million in ODA grant funds despite an additional non-official development assistance grant of £26 million being provided.
Alex Sobel
Lab Co-op
Leeds Central and Headingley
The hon. Member thanked the proposer for the debate, highlighting his role in chairing all-party parliamentary groups focusing on Balkan countries experiencing British Council closures. He emphasised the vital bilateral exchange between Britain and these nations and warned that moving offices could harm development work.
Chris Stephens
SNP
Glasgow South West
The Member acknowledged a recent online meeting with Public and Commercial Services Union members, expressing concern over the secrecy of the British Council's restructuring plans and calling for more transparency and parliamentary scrutiny. Asked about the conditions of the £600 million loans and inquired whether the Department is reviewing how the British Council is managing its restructuring.
Grahame Morris
Lab
Easington
Criticisms of the Government's British Council closures come not only from the Opposition but also across Parliament. Grahame Morris highlights that cuts to ODA spending are hated across the country and within his party, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a strong presence around the world through soft power.
The hon. Member reported constituents' concerns about unclear evacuation plans for British Council staff in Afghanistan, noting her own unsuccessful attempts to gain clarity from relevant departments. She criticised the lack of support for employees under the Afghan relocation policy and urged the Government to reconsider their approach.
Layla Moran
Lib Dem
Oxford West and Abingdon
The hon. Member congratulated the debate's proposer for raising the issue of discrepancies between the Government's actions and their claims, particularly regarding funding cuts to the British Council despite promises to maintain foreign aid at 0.7%.
Government Response
Nigel Adams
Government Response
I thank the hon. Member for North East Fife (Wendy Chamberlain) for securing this important debate on the British Council's global presence and acknowledge the crucial role it plays in promoting English-language education, arts and culture across the globe. The council reached 983 million people in 2019-20 but faced significant challenges during the pandemic, with over 90% of its teaching and exam centres forced to close at the peak. Despite these unprecedented economic circumstances, we have allocated over £600 million to the British Council since the pandemic hit, including a 27% increase in the spending review settlement to £189 million in 2021-22. We also provided up to £245 million of loan support, which includes a £100 million loan for restructuring efforts and rebuilding commercial surpluses. The minister emphasised that while difficult decisions were made regarding the council's global presence, it is essential for the British Council to adapt to a changing world by focusing on its core mission and enhancing its governance structure. New key performance indicators and targets have been agreed upon with updated charitable objectives, and Scott McDonald has recently taken up his role as chief executive alongside chairman Stevie Spring.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.