British Cycling says it is launching an “action plan” following a survey in which some responses reportedly described its World Class Programme as “toxic”.

The confidential survey was funded by UK Sport and carried out by an independent company earlier this year.

The Times reported, external that the results found there was a drop in morale among riders and performance staff, while “toxic” was the joint-second most common response to a question asking for words to describe the programme.

“The wellbeing of our staff and riders is fundamental to everything we do at British Cycling,” said a British Cycling spokesperson.

“The Culture Feedback Survey, which has been the subject of recent reports, is independently run to provide a valuable tool to help us learn and improve.

“The majority of team members say they love their jobs and overall favourability has increased, ranking ‘very good’ in the latest study.

“However, it is important to recognise others want to see improvements, and we are committed to listening and acting on this.

“As a result, the GB Cycling Team has developed an action plan that is being implemented alongside wider work across British Cycling, focused on leadership, development, feedback and wellbeing. UK Sport is aware and supportive of the action we are taking.”

The reports about the survey follow Matt Richardson being withdrawn from the Great Britain squad for this week’s World Track Cycling Championships in Shanghai amid reports he is under investigation for misconduct.

Richardson has said he will co-operate with a British Cycling investigation and promised to do so with “contrition for the feelings of anyone involved”.

“It is critical to us that the sports we invest in have a safe, healthy and high-performing culture where athlete voice is included in decision making,” said a UK Sport spokesperson.

“That is why the sports we work with undertake periodic, independent surveys of their athletes and staff within performance programmes to form one part of the assessment of the culture within those environments.

“We have engaged with British Cycling on the findings of its most recent culture survey and are aware of the action plan it is already implementing to address some of the themes it raised.

“We will continue to work with British Cycling as it embeds this plan and ensure their performance culture is of the highest possible standard.”