Thursday 2nd
July, 10.00am, Grimond Room, Portcullis House
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will examine the ongoing
impact of the pandemic on the British Council's finances on
Thursday 2nd July, at 10.00am.
The British Council promotes the UK's culture, language and
influence around the world. It operates across dozens of
countries and reaches millions of people each year. Around 85% of
the British Council's income is generated through commercial
activities, primarily through the teaching of English and exams.
However, the pandemic saw the temporary closure of many of its
business operations and since the start of the pandemic it has
made net losses of £184million.
MPs will use this session to question senior officials from the
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the
British Council on the financial challenges the Council has faced
since the pandemic.
Questions are likely to examine the British Council's ability to
repay the current £197 million loan provided by the FCDO. The PAC
could also question how much progress has been made in
negotiations between the two organisations, and whether a 15-year
timeframe for a full repayment of the loan is realistic.
The British Council has already delivered significant cost
reductions of £179 million and cut its workforce by around 2,000
full-time equivalent staff. Despite this, it has failed to
significantly grow its revenue and continues to be make losses.
MPs may consider what the future role of the British Council
could look like, the possibility of further job cuts and whether
current plans to improve its financial situation are overly
ambitious.
Witnesses from 10am:
-
, Permanent Under-Secretary,
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
- Helena Vega-Lozano, Director General, Foreign, Commonwealth
and Development Office
- Scott McDonald, Chief Executive, British Council
- Vicki Olby, Chief Financial Officer, British Council
