Source · Select Committees · Foreign Affairs Committee
Recommendation 15
15
Deferred
Paragraph: 18
Soft power is key to the UK’s international influence.
Recommendation
Soft power is key to the UK’s international influence. It is about much more than culture: the way it is used by some nations suggests it is the entire capability of the state short of war, for others it is the power of attraction. The Government must not become complacent about the UK’s advantages in this space, and the risk of their erosion. It should respond to the desire abroad for the UK to lead, and set a positive example, in new and innovative ways. We recommend that the Government publishes a coherent and credibly resourced soft power strategy. Given the range of contributors to UK soft power and the numbers of HMG Departments involved, we recommend that the Government gives an enhanced coordinating role to FCDO so that this strategy can be implemented in a cohesive and impactful way.
Government response summary AI-generated
The government defers publishing a soft power strategy until the Integrated Review is published, but agrees the FCDO's creation enhances conflict resolution impact and outlines ongoing peacebuilding efforts.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Paragraph Reference:
18
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government · verbatim extract
Deferred
16.1 Soft power is an important part of our global influence, and an area in which the UK has an advantage. The UK is the only country to rank in the top two places in the Portland Soft Power 30 in each of the past five years, and the UK moved from fourth to second place in the recently published Anholt Ipsos Nation Brands Index. We are also ranked as the most attractive country for young people in the G20 in the British Council’s recent soft power perceptions study. 16.2 Many institutions, including our Arm’s Length Bodies, have demonstrated themselves to be hugely valuable throughout the pandemic. The BBC World Service has played a key role, as audiences have turned to the broadcaster for impartial and trustworthy news about the virus. Digital audiences for World Service languages grew to an average of 208 million people per week in March, up 142% compared to averages across April to December in 2019. These and other sources highlight the breadth of the UK’s soft power strengths, including in creative industries and culture, education and media. 16.3 We agree on the need for effective coordination within government and beyond, in order to bring to bear the collective strengths of UK soft power in support of our international objectives. However, these institutions and assets are effective because they are distinct from government and spread across all four nations and the regions, reflecting the best of British culture and society. To support these assets, we have already established cross-government senior official fora dealing with soft power, in addition to links with external groups such as the UK Soft Power Group. The recent creation of the FCDO offers further opportunities to ensure that the important contribution to UK soft power of official development assistance and our development experience and skills, is given due weight. 16.4 The Integrated Review is considering the contribution made by soft power to our international objectives. At this stage, we would not want to prejudge the Review’s outcomes in this area.
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