CRIME

Counter-extremism faces 'unprecedented challenges'

The battle against radicalisation at the local level faces ‘unprecedented challenges’ due to a lack of funding, local authority leaders have warned.

The battle against radicalisation at the local level faces ‘unprecedented challenges' due to a lack of funding, local authority leaders have warned.

Local government secretary Michael Gove today announced a new definition of extremism in the wake of the October 7 terror attacks in Israel.

The new non-statutory definition said extremism was the 'promotion or advancement of an ideology based on violence, hatred or intolerance'.

Gove, who cited the far-right and Islamist extremists as a particular threat, said the new definition would ensure 'Government does not inadvertently provide a platform' to those setting out to ‘subvert democracy'.

Safer communities spokesperson for the Local Government Association, Heather Kidd, said councils' work tackling radicalisation was undermined by a lack of funding.

She said: ‘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.

‘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.'

CRIME

Councils using planning time extensions 'too often'

By Martin Ford | 30 June 2025

More councils could face Government intervention over planning following a tightening of rules.

CRIME

EXCLUSIVE: Government turns to councils for extra building inspector capacity

By Emily Twinch | 30 June 2025

The Government has turned to councils for extra building inspector capacity as high-rise housing projects continue to be dogged by regulatory hold-ups.

CRIME

The power of the dream

By Jon Rouse | 27 June 2025

Jon Rouse says that rather than being a bureaucratic exercise, reorganisation is about complete reinvention of what the state exists to do – enabling communi...

CRIME

'Maxing out' council tax will be challenging, says Mapley

By Heather Jameson | 25 June 2025

It will be ‘challenging’ for communities to see council tax ‘maxing out’ as the Government pledges to keep income tax low, finance expert Owen Mapley has said.

Popular articles by William Eichler