UK Soft Power Council: terms of reference
Published 17 January 2025
© Crown copyright 2025
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-soft-power-council-membership-and-terms-of-reference/uk-soft-power-council-terms-of-reference
Purpose
1. The purpose of the Soft Power Council (SPC) is to provide independent expertise and advice on HM Government’s soft power work.
Governance
2. The SPC is co-chaired by the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs and the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.
3. The SPC is supported by a dedicated Secretariat, which will include officials from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).
Membership
4. The SPC’s membership is comprised of leading experts from outside of government whose collective expertise spans both priority foreign policy themes, and the sectors and assets that contribute significantly to UK soft power.
Remit
5. The SPC will provide concrete and actionable proposals to support the UK government. This will include:
a. Strategy
Advice on the development of a proposal for a UK Soft Power Strategy. The Strategy will address (i) how to support the UK’s soft power assets at source, and (ii) how to harness them through international interventions in support of foreign policy priorities.
b. Campaigns
Advice on the development of a forward plan for government campaigns that promote the UK image and offer to the world, drawing on the breadth of UK strengths, including diversity.
c. Strategic calendar
Advice on harnessing significant diplomatic, cultural and business events and milestones for the benefit of both foreign policy and sectoral objectives. This should prioritise a small number of moments that can make the biggest difference, which can be UK-hosted or overseas.
Contact
6. For queries about the UK Soft Power Council, email: SPCSecretariat@fcdo.gov.uk