The British Council could potentially close its operations in 60 countries due to proposed funding cuts. Ministers have reportedly requested the British Council to formulate spending plans that would necessitate closures in numerous locations.

The organization was instructed to create two sets of financial strategies as part of a spending review. One scenario involves maintaining current funding levels in monetary terms, while the other considers a 2% annual reduction in funding. If the British Council does not secure additional funding in the coming years, it may be compelled to shut down operations in 40 countries. A 2% funding cut would lead to the closure of 60 offices.

In 2021, the British Council closed 20 offices after committing to reducing its budget by £185 million over five years. The organization’s activities have recently been recognized as undesirable in the Russian Federation.

The British Council was established in 1934 and is officially associated with the UK Foreign Office, receiving partial funding from the government body. It is considered to operate independently while maintaining close ties with the Foreign Office. The British Council’s Moscow office opened in 1992, followed by a St. Petersburg location in 2006. In late 2007, the organization announced the closure of all Russian offices except for the one in Moscow.

Following the deterioration of Russian-British relations in 2018, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced the termination of the British Council’s activities in Russia due to its unsettled status within the Russian Federation.