THE BRITISH COUNCIL
Activities
As described by the charity on the register
The British Council creates friendly knowledge and understanding between the people of the UK and other countries. We do this by making a positive contribution to the UK and the countries we work with. We reach millions of people across the world, working with over 100 countries in the fields of arts and culture, English language, education and civil society.
Latest income
£1.01bn
Expenditure
£1.05bn
Financial year end
2025-03-31
Income & spending history
As reported to the Charity Commission, by financial year end
| Year end | Income | Expenditure | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-03-31 | £925m | £1.02bn | |
| 2022-03-31 | £897m | £942m | |
| 2023-03-31 | £873m | £925m | |
| 2024-03-31 | £989m | £1.05bn | |
| 2025-03-31 | £1.01bn | £1.05bn |
Latest detailed return
Year end 2025-03-31 · consolidated (group) figures
Income mix
| Donations & legacies | £163m |
| Charitable activities | £826m |
| Trading | £665k |
| Investment income | £10.4m |
| Total income | £1.01bn |
Spending
| Charitable spend | £1.04bn |
| Raising funds | £44k |
| Grants to institutions | £59.0m |
| Governance | £4.4m |
| Total expenditure | £1.05bn |
Balance sheet
| Reserves | £0 |
| Total funds | £304m |
| — restricted | £113m |
| — unrestricted | £191m |
| — endowment | £221k |
| Total assets | £304m |
| Cash | £259m |
People
| Employees | 9,446 |
Classification
The charity's own register classification
What it does
- Education/training
- Overseas Aid/famine Relief
- Arts/culture/heritage/science
- Other Charitable Purposes
Who it helps
- The General Public/mankind
How it works
- Makes Grants To Individuals
- Makes Grants To Organisations
- Provides Services
- Acts As An Umbrella Or Resource Body
- Other Charitable Activities
Source: Charity Commission for England and Wales register, 2026-07-28. Detailed figures as filed in the charity's annual return. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.