Committees

Inquiry into extremism in Britain launched

27 August 2015

The Home Affairs Committee announces an inquiry into the Government's new five-year strategy on countering extremism.

Terms of Reference

The Committee is looking at issues including:

  • The major drivers of, and risk factors for recruitment to, terrorist movements linked to extremism.
  • How effective is the Prevent strategy and what have been the problems with it? Including:
    • responding to the ideological challenge of terrorism and the threat the UK faces from those who promote it?
    • working with sectors and institutions where there are risks of radicalisation?
    • preventing people from being drawn into terrorism and ensuring that they are given appropriate advice and support?
  • How effective is the Channel programme at:
    • identifying individuals at risk?
    • assessing the nature and extent of that risk?
    • developing the most appropriate support plan for the individuals concerned?
  • How successfully is the Home Office collaborating with international allies, social media companies and civil society organisations to counter online extremism?
  • What international comparisons can be made with the Home Office's counter-extremism strategy?
  • How can returning foreign fighters be rehabilitated and reintegrated?

The Committee intends its inquiry to inform implementation of the Government's new strategy.

Chair's comments

Rt Hon Keith Vaz MP, Chair of the Home Affairs Committee, said;

"The level of radicalisation taking place across the UK is reaching unprecedented levels and the need for a strong counter-narrative to face Daesh's sophisticated recruitment techniques is becoming increasingly urgent.

We are seeing families and communities in the UK torn apart by recruitment of young men and women into fighting in Iraq and Syria.

We need a strategy that can tackle radicalisation at all stages, from recruitment into terrorist groups and fighting abroad, to reintegrating people who have come back."

Submitting written evidence

Written submissions for this inquiry should submitted online, by midday on Wednesday 7 October 2015, via the countering extremism inquiry page.

Further information

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