Communities secretary, Ruth Kelly, is to put local authorities at the centre of a new ‘hearts and minds' action plan designed to isolate, prevent and defeat violent extremism within Muslim communities Ms Kelly is also due to announce details today (Thursday) of funding for some 70 councils which will share £6m from the Preventing Violent Extremism Pathfinder Fund to develop local programmes to tackle violent extremism locally. The funding aims to build on the work that leading local authorities already undertake in dialogue with their communities, forging partnerships with police, community and faith groups and working with mosques and education institutions. Ms Kelly is also to head a new cross-government committee focusing on countering radicalisation, and in a major speech alongside publication of the strategy will stress: ‘I know from my conversations with Muslim communities that the desire and commitment to tackle extremism is there. ‘There are many people who are already taking a brave stand and doing incredible work.'
