Due to the financial crisis that threatens the governing body, the British Council could have to sell its £200 million art collection.

After obtaining an emergency £250 million credit from the government during the epidemic, the council now owes £197 million. The Times claims that the government is collecting interest at a rate of £14 million annually as a result of its bad credit rating.

The paintings in the collection, which include pieces by David Hockney, Tracey Emin, and Henry Moore, are currently in danger. The council, which has its headquarters in London's Olympic Park, is in charge of promoting the British language and culture overseas. This entails supporting education, advancing the English language, and defending British art and culture.

Due to agreements with artists who gave their works with the understanding that they would never be sold, half of the 9,000-piece collection is reportedly safeguarded from the sale. However, the British Council has refused to furnish a list of the works that are in danger of sale.

According to a council spokesperson, for the government to continue its mission of promoting peace and prosperity for the people of the United Kingdom and millions of people worldwide, it must take immediate action to relieve the burden of the loan and the strains of a decade of diminishing grant funding.