Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Mowat and James Brokenshire

Monday 9th February 2015 Commons Chamber

[David Mowat (Warrington South) (Con)]

13. What assessment she has made of the role of voluntary organisations in tackling radicalisation and extremism.

[The Minister for Security and Immigration (James Brokenshire)]

Voluntary organisations and communities can play an important role in confronting and challenging extremism. Local Prevent projects have reached more than 55,000 people since early 2012, and the Government have supported community-based campaigns such as Families Matter and Making a Stand.

[David Mowat]

The Minister will be aware of the successful work being done by the Warrington-based Foundation for Peace with young people who are vulnerable to extremism, many of whom have now moved on to become young leaders in their communities. That work is focused mainly on parts of northern England. Would he support a wider roll-out, and will he meet me and members of the foundation to discuss how that could be achieved?

[James Brokenshire]

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for highlighting the work of the Foundation for Peace, which I visited a couple of years ago. I am aware of its continuing work, and I would be happy to meet him and representatives of the foundation to discuss the steps that they are taking. We are clearly looking for good practice that can be shared around the country to confront and combat extremism and radicalisation.