The British Council* may cease operations in 60 countries due to budget cuts, according to The Guardian, citing sources.
As noted, the organisation was asked to develop two spending plans, the first of which involves maintaining current funding, and the second involves a 2% annual reduction.
According to sources, this situation will force the closure of branches in a number of regions around the world, which will greatly undermine the British Council’s ‘soft power’.
According to the organisation’s head, Scott McDonald, such financial pressure on the council could lead to its complete disappearance within the next ten years.
According to the publication, these savings will be directed towards military spending.
Earlier, the Russian Foreign Ministry reported that the British Council was conducting subversive activities by involving Russians in its projects.
* The organisation has been recognised by the Prosecutor General’s Office as undesirable in Russia.
