State of Extremism Report

Lord Young of Acton Excerpts

Wednesday 17th June 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Hanson of Flint (Lab)]

The purpose of government policy and of Prevent is not to colour all Muslims as being related to extremist activity. The purpose of Prevent is to help identify those individuals who are vulnerable and at risk. That identification is done by social workers, support workers, police and other agencies. If an individual is vulnerable, the idea of Prevent is to help them have defences against that vulnerability so that they do not get drawn into extremism. The Muslim community as a whole should have nothing to fear from that process.

[Lord Young of Acton (Con)]

My Lords, I declare an interest as the director of the Free Speech Union. The issue of how to tackle extremism while preserving the right to freedom of expression falls squarely within the terms of reference of the review carried out at the request of the Home Secretary by the noble Lord, Lord Macdonald of River Glaven, which examined hate crime and public order legislation. Can the Minister tell us what has become of that review, and when it is likely to be placed in the Library so we can all read it?

[Lord Hanson of Flint (Lab)]

The review has been received by the Home Secretary. We are examining its contents, and we intend to publish it before the Summer Recess.