Title

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

London borough enters EFS talks with Government

By Martin Ford | 25 July 2025

Hillingdon LBC is in talks with the Government over exceptional financial support (EFS) as budget overspends threaten to outstrip its reserves.

CRIME

Central government must ease its grip

By Florence Eshalomi | 23 July 2025

Councils must have more power to control their own affairs - accountable not to Westminster in the first instance, but to their own local electorates, says F...

CRIME

Putting children front and centre

By Cllr Hannah Dalton | 23 July 2025

The District Councils’ Network has joined with the Staff College to create a route map for councils considering the disaggregation of children’s services as ...

CRIME

Find finance fix

By Neil Merrick | 23 July 2025

MPs call for authorities to be given immediate powers to revalue properties ahead of full review of local government funding that could include scrapping cou...

Popular articles by William Eichler