BBC World Service: Soft Power
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of changes in funding for the BBC World Service on the UK's soft power.
Answered by Catherine West
The Government highly values the BBC World Service, which makes a significant contribution to UK soft power. According to a 2025 survey conducted for the BBC by the independent polling company, Tapestry, the BBC is a leader in driving favourable impressions of the UK and is the country's most recognised cultural export internationally. Decisions have not yet been made on future funding. World Service Grant-in-Aid funding for the next three years will be decided by Ministers through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office allocations process in the autumn.
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