UK Soft Power

Part of Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office – in the House of Commons at on 26 November 2024.

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Photo of Fabian Hamilton Fabian Hamilton Labour, Leeds North East

The Government’s commitment to UK soft power was highlighted by the Chancellor’s additional funding for the BBC World Service in the recent Budget. Last week, I met Moldovan MPs, who are on the frontline of Russian aggression. They really valued the British Council’s presence, but it had to close owing to funding cuts. Does the Minister agree that it would be detrimental to Britain’s place on the world stage if the British Council was forced to close more offices, particularly where British values of freedom and democracy are needed most?