Conclusion 28

Our overriding concern is that the turnaround plan makes substantial cuts to the commercial organisation which leaves no cushion with deciding negative reserves, if any aspect of the plan is not fulfilled. The gap between what the British Council believes it provides in soft power of over £1bn and its grants in aid of £163m needs to be resolved. One way this could be achieved is by reconstructing the soft power side into a charitable arm similar to other large organisations like the National Trust. It seems to the Public Accounts Committee that the future of the British Council is still precarious and both it and the FCDO need to carefully monitor the situation as partners so that the British Council can confidently demonstrate to the world that the UK values its work in providing soft power. 59 Qq 23-27 60 Q 65 17