To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the decision of the British Council to close its dedicated film office; what cost savings he expects to be made accordingly; and what evaluation was carried out into the impact of this decision on the effectiveness of the British Council to communicate its key messages abroad. (180126)

The British Council has a dedicated film department as part of its wider arts group. The British Council arts group is currently undergoing internal restructuring and will be undertaking a public consultation on a new arts strategy. Finalised decisions have not yet been taken on the future of this department. Expertise in film will be retained at its current level and may be increased thereby demonstrating the British Council’s commitment to its film activity.

The British Council anticipates no change to their global arts budget as a result of this restructuring. As film expertise will remain a substantial part of any new structure, no formal evaluation was undertaken.