Staff at the British Council in Italy are preparing to strike due to proposed cuts that would eliminate about 80% of its workforce, targeting 108 out of 130 teaching positions across Rome, Milan, and Naples. This drastic reduction is a response to a funding crisis stemming from a £197 million government loan incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, which must be repaid by September, incurring an annual interest of £14 million. The cuts would mark the end of 80 years of English language teaching in Italy, significantly impacting the British Council's mission to promote British culture and education. The chief executive, Scott McDonald, has previously warned that the organization could face extinction within a decade without urgent government support. Protests are scheduled at the British embassy in Rome, with a second strike planned for June 4. The Italian General Confederation of Labour has condemned the layoffs, framing them as a political decision rather than a corporate necessity, and highlighting the British Council's cultural significance. Despite the cuts, the British Council plans to maintain its exams division and cultural events through partnerships.