LONDON — The British government announced Wednesday it will
boost funding for the BBC’s Arabic Service in recognition of its “valuable
work” during the political turmoil in the Middle East and North Africa.

In a written statement to parliament, Foreign Secretary
William Hague said the Foreign Office would provide an additional £2.2 million
(2.5 million euros, $3.6 million) a year.

It comes just eight months after ministers slashed the World
Service’s budget by 16 percent over three years as part of government-wide
savings to reduce the deficit, forcing it to close services and cut 650 jobs.

“We recognize that the world has changed since the
settlement was announced in October last year — indeed since the World Service
announced the subsequent changes to services, including some closures, on 26
January,” Hague said.

He added: “It is right that we should look at ways in
which we can assist the BBC Arabic Service to continue their valuable work in
the region.

“So I have agreed that we will provide additional
funding of £2.2 million per annum to enable the World Service to maintain the
current level of investment in the BBC Arabic Service.”

The Foreign Office will also look at providing funding for
specific projects proposed by the BBC “which are designed to support the
development of the media and wider civic society in the Middle East and North
Africa region,” he said.

Up to £1.65 million is available over the next two years.

In April, lawmakers on parliament’s foreign affairs
committee said the World Service’s performance during a wave of uprisings in
the region highlighted how Britain could wield “soft power,”  and said any cuts would be a
“false economy.”

The World Service has traditionally received its funding
from the Foreign Office, although this will end in 2014, when the BBC will take
over funding the service as part of the deal struck this year with the
government.