PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
British Council (13 December 2021)

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will instruct the British Council to publish its business plan for its restructuring programme; and if she will make a statement.

Asked by:
Navendu Mishra (Labour)

The unprecedented impact of the pandemic required the Government to take tough but necessary decisions on the British Council's global presence and reinforced the need for the Council to do more to adapt to a changing world. We have allocated over £600 million since the pandemic hit to secure the Council's future. Final Spending Review allocations for 2022/2025 will be confirmed after the conclusion of the FCDO business planning process, after which future cultural and other programme activity will be decided. The British Council are in the process of finalising their future operating model, including how professional services will be delivered. Matters relating to workforce planning and talent management are for the British Council to determine.

Answered by:
Mr James Cleverly (Conservative)
20 December 2021