Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the British Council is adequately resourced through the transition period to provide an effective representation for the UK.

The FCDO remains committed to the British Council, which has been significantly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The FCDO remains committed to the British Council, which has been significantly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. On 24th September I met with the Chair & CEO, FCDO officials continue to work closely with the Council to address the impact on its operations and to ensure that it can carry out its work throughout the transition period and beyond. Further decisions about long-term funding for the British Council will be taken at the upcoming Spending Review.

FCDO officials continue to work closely with the Council to address the impact on its operations and to ensure that it can carry out its work throughout the transition period and beyond. Further decisions about long-term funding for the British Council will be taken at the upcoming Spending Review.