Committee publication · Special Report · 11 June 2026 · HC 311
1st Special Report - Combatting new forms of extremism: Government Response
From: Home Affairs Committee
Inquiry: Combatting New Forms of Extremism
Summary
This is the Government's response to the Home Affairs Committee's April 2026 report on combatting new forms of extremism. The Government sets out a broad, evidence-led counter-extremism strategy spanning Prevent, online safety, education, and community cohesion. It commits to annual extremism reporting, enhanced visa controls targeting hate preachers, expanded protective security funding for faith communities (£58 million for Jewish communities alone), Prevent programme improvements including non-ideological referrals, and cross-departmental coordination through a ministerial steering group.
Key findings
- Government confirms counter-extremism is distinct from counter-terrorism; Home Office leads dedicated Counter-Extremism team coordinating with Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's social cohesion function.
- Prevent remains essential safeguarding tool; interim Independent Prevent Commissioner Lord David Anderson published 'Lessons for Prevent' in July 2025 highlighting online radicalisation challenges; substantive Commissioner Tim Jaques appointed April 2026.
- Protecting What Matters action plan (9 March 2026) contains 90 cross-government commitments including: embedding 2024 extremism definition, annual 'State of Extremism' report (first by end 2026), transformed Disruptions Unit, permanent visa taskforce expansion, £25 million new funding for Jewish community protection in April 2026 (£20m to policing).
- Online safety measures include Online Safety Act 2023 enforcement by Ofcom; Intelligence Coordination Cell established coordinating law enforcement against Com networks, processing 524 referrals since October 2025 leading to 17 UK arrests and 27 safeguarded individuals.
- Prevent guidance updated February 2026 ('Key Principles of Prevent') clarifying non-ideological referrals; government committed to Home Office-led taskforce (13 April 2026) tackling violence-fixated individuals; new legislation proposed on mass casualty attack preparation and extreme violence content spread.
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Home Office, Independent Prevent Commissioner (Tim Jaques), Lord David Anderson KC, Dame Karen Bradley (Home Affairs Committee Chair), National Crime Agency, Counter Terrorism Policing, Ofcom, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Notable line
“Extremism is a deeply challenging and complex issue which fuels polarisation …”
Key Quotes
“Extremism is a deeply challenging and complex issue which fuels polarisation, erodes social cohesion and heightens tensions within communities by creating an environment in which hostility and intolerance can flourish.”
“The Government's response to this report confirms that a broad, evidence led approach to Counter-Extremism is necessary.”
“This guidance clearly sets out that, while ideology is an important consideration, it is not mandatory for a Prevent referral.”
“In April, the government announced £25 million of funding to protect Jewish communities. £20 million of this will go directly to policing to provide a boost in police patrols. This brings the total funding to £58 million this year – the largest investment a Government has made in protecting Jewish communities in history.”
“The Home Office is also increasing its analytical resource to increase its horizon scanning capability—this will allow us to identify and understand new and emerging extremist threats—we can then share this …”
“The Online Safety Act (OSA) represents one of the most significant pieces of UK legislation aimed at creating a safer digital environment.”
“The Government will bring forward legislation to help tackle violence-fixated individuals in this parliamentary session. Proposed measures are a new offence for preparing a mass casualty attack, and measures to prevent the spread of extreme violence content online.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗