British Council faces more job cuts to help pay off £197m loan

The British Council announced plans to cut its workforce and close operations in 11 countries as part of a turnaround strategy to address a £197 million loan taken out during the Covid-19 pandemic. The public spending watchdog, the National Audit Office, stated in a report that the UK's soft-power agency is projected to remain loss-making until the 2029-30 financial year. These measures are intended to help the organization repay the significant government loan, which the report indicates is a threat to its continued operation. The agency's financial difficulties stem from losses incurred during the pandemic, and the proposed closures and job cuts are a direct response to this ongoing financial strain. The National Audit Office's findings highlight the severity of the British Council's financial situation and the critical nature of the proposed restructuring efforts.