The British Council's decision to sell its historic Madrid building has provoked anger among staff, who fear job losses and accuse the organisation of a 'colonial attitude'. The building, located in the upscale Chamberí district, has housed the council for about 70 years and teaches around 5,000 students annually.
The sale is part of wider restructuring across Europe aimed at repaying a £197 million Covid-era loan from the UK government. Staff in Italy have already staged strikes, and letters of no confidence have been sent from Spain, Italy and France. The Madrid sale has prompted protests, with no confirmed relocation plans for 320 staff.
Union representatives have criticised the 'very centralised decision-making' from London, which they say disregards local expertise. Stuart Anderson, chair of the European Works Council, warned that the organisation's global reputation is being 'run into the ground'. Former Labour leader Neil Kinnock blamed Treasury conditions for forcing the cuts.
The British Council, established 92 years ago to promote UK values, faces a 'death spiral' according to staff, who are calling on the government to halt the cuts. Concerns also extend to potential sales of buildings in Paris and reduced services in several other European countries.
