The battle against radicalisation at the local level faces ‘unprecedented challenges’ due to a lack of funding, local authority leaders have warned.
The Government today announced a new definition of extremism in the wake of the October 7 terror attacks in Israel.
Extremism, according to the new non-statutory definition, is ‘the promotion or advancement of an ideology based on violence, hatred or intolerance’.
Michael Gove, secretary of state for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, said the new definition will ensure government bodies do not ‘inadvertently provide a platform’ to those setting out to ‘subvert democracy’.
He cites the far right and Islamist extremists as a particular threat.
Responding to the announcement, Cllr Heather Kidd, safer communities spokesperson for the Local Government Association (LGA), said that councils play an essential role in tackling radicalisation, but warned their work was undermined by a lack of funding.
‘Funding non-statutory cohesion and anti-extremism initiatives remains highly challenging for councils. Ongoing budgetary pressures and uncertainties about how national policy on extremist threats will change has impacted on what they can achieve,’ she said.
‘Investing in a long-term approach, which includes a multi-agency support offer for those at risk of radicalisation, is vital in addressing some of the wider issues that may contribute to individuals becoming radicalised and create tensions in our communities.’
