British Council Staff in Italy to Strike Over Proposed 80% Workforce Reduction
The British Council in Italy is facing significant staff unrest as employees prepare to strike in response to proposed cuts that would reduce the workforce by approximately 80%. This drastic reduction is part of a broader restructuring effort linked to financial challenges stemming from a government loan taken during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Currently, the British Council employs 130 teaching staff across its centres in Rome, Milan, and Naples. Of these, 108 teaching positions are targeted for elimination, effectively ending 80 years of British Council English language teaching in Italy. This teaching activity has been a core component of the organisation’s global mission to promote British culture and education worldwide, according to sources familiar with the situation.
Staff members, shocked by the proposed cuts, plan to protest next Thursday outside the British embassy in Rome, with an additional strike scheduled for 4 June.
Financial Crisis and Government Loan
The British Council, a prominent soft power institution founded in 1934 and operating in approximately 100 countries, has been compelled to restructure due to a £197 million government loan issued during the Covid pandemic. This loan, agreed upon under Boris Johnson’s Conservative government, carries an annual interest cost of around £14 million and is due for repayment by September.
A source described the impact on the British Council’s operations in Italy as "extremely badly hit." They added:
"Everybody is very shocked, very upset, very sad, obviously also very angry as well. Because our presence will be so small at the end of all this, it’s a very strong political message that Italy isn’t important."
Impact on British Council Activities in Italy
The British Council offers English language tuition for adults and children, as well as corporate and business classes. While teaching activities face severe reductions, it is understood that the exams division will continue to operate through partnerships, and cultural events will also remain active.
Scott McDonald, the British Council’s chief executive, has expressed concerns that the cuts could harm the UK’s global standing and create a vacuum internationally that could be filled by Russia and China unless government intervention occurs.
Wider Job Cuts and Consultations Across Europe
According to Politico, an internal consultation document identifies 784 jobs "in scope" across the UK and Europe, with at least 404 roles expected to be "displaced," representing approximately 15% of the staff. Consultations are also reportedly underway in France, Spain, and Portugal.
In October, McDonald informed the foreign affairs select committee that the organisation was "nearly insolvent." He noted that despite 16 months of negotiations with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), progress had stalled, leaving the organisation in "real financial peril."
Financial Pressures on Income Streams
The British Council’s three primary income streams—teaching, exams, and development contracts—constitute 85% of its turnover but have all been under pressure during and following the Covid pandemic. MPs were informed that UK spending on development has decreased and, with the cessation of US development aid, there are fewer development projects available. The council also receives grant-in-aid funding from the FCDO, which accounts for about 15% of total income.
Response from Italian Trade Union
In a statement posted on Instagram, the Italian General Confederation of Labour (CGIL) condemned the proposed layoffs:
"The British Council in Italy is about to lay off 108 out of 130 employees and masks this political choice of the British government behind an alleged corporate crisis."
"The council is a cultural institution, not a corporation, set up to promote cultural and educational cooperation between the two countries. Firing more than 80% of the workforce deprives Italy of this opportunity."
British Council’s Official Statement
A spokesperson for the British Council acknowledged ongoing financial challenges faced by many international organisations post-pandemic, stating:
"These include the need to address a significant funding gap and the repayment of a £197m loan provided by the UK government during that period.
We are taking all necessary steps to significantly cut costs and grow our revenue so the organisation is modern, efficient and able to adapt to changing economic conditions.
We are reviewing our operations in several countries and in some cases considering changes to our activities. This includes a proposal to close the British Council’s teaching centres in Italy due to profound changes to learner demand.
We have been working in Italy since 1945 and are hugely proud of the significant contribution made by our network of centres, where our staff and students have helped shape English language learning across the country. We will continue our wider work in Italy, including exams and our work in culture and education, through strong partnerships with institutions, educators and communities."
The British Council also indicated that consultations on proposed changes are at an early stage and, as such, further details cannot be disclosed at this time.
