Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
7th Report – Combatting new forms of extremism
Home Affairs Committee
HC 903
Published 1 April 2026
Government response
1st Special Report - Combatting new forms of extremism: Government Response · published 11 Jun 2026
Recommendations & Conclusions
1
Conclusion
Accepted
Extremism is evolving rapidly and becoming more complex.
Conclusion
Extremism is evolving rapidly and becoming more complex. Long-standing terrorist threats remain but new forms of extremism are emerging and give rise to growing concern. The impact of geo-political events is likely to intensify in light of continuing conflict in …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the evolving nature of extremism and commits to publishing its first 'State of Extremism' report by the end of 2026, alongside increasing analytical resources for horizon scanning to identify and share information on emerging threats with partners.
Home Office
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5
Recommendation
Accepted
The Online Safety Act contains gaps that limit government’s ability to address new forms of...
Recommendation
The Online Safety Act contains gaps that limit government’s ability to address new forms of extremism, particularly when harmful content falls below criminal thresholds. We are concerned that smaller, high-risk platforms are not receiving sufficient regulatory scrutiny. Alongside more robust …
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Government Response Summary
The government states it is already working with the education sector and national partners, providing resources on the Educate Against Hate website, and that the Prevent duty is a vital tool for safeguarding children.
Home Office
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6
Recommendation
Accepted
The Home Office should engage more closely with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology...
Recommendation
The Home Office should engage more closely with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and Ofcom to ensure effective implementation of measures around online safety for children and to ensure that extremist content is among the types of online …
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Government Response Summary
The Home Office is working closely with DSIT on the Children Online Wellbeing consultation and highlights the Online Safety Act's legal duties on providers to remove illegal content, including extremist material, with Ofcom as regulator. It also describes extensive ongoing multi-agency efforts, including a police-led taskforce, to disrupt online networks and address radicalisation, while continuously reviewing the legal framework for emerging threats.
Home Office
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7
Recommendation
Accepted
We welcome the inclusion of enhanced digital and media literacy in the new curriculum.
Recommendation
We welcome the inclusion of enhanced digital and media literacy in the new curriculum. It should be embedded consistently across education settings and equip children with the skills to identify, analyse and scrutinise online 53 content, including the operation of …
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Government Response Summary
The government has committed to strengthening media literacy in the curriculum, published a Media Literacy Action Plan, and confirmed it will develop teacher training on counter-extremism media literacy. The Home Office also regularly provides analysis to the Department for Education to ensure educational materials keep pace with evolving online extremist tactics, including Generative AI.
Home Office
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9
Conclusion
Accepted
Prevent is poorly adapted to deal with the digital world.
Conclusion
Prevent is poorly adapted to deal with the digital world. We have outlined how online spaces are now central to the radicalisation process, particularly for young people, yet Prevent lacks the specialist knowledge or framework for identifying and assessing credible …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the challenges of online radicalisation and states the Home Office and Counter-Terrorism Police are adapting, working with tech companies, and implementing the Online Safety Act. It also commits to bringing forward new legislation this parliamentary session to tackle violence-fixated individuals and to set up a Home Office-led taskforce to develop new approaches for managing this risk.
Home Office
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12
Recommendation
Accepted
The Home Office should assign greater priority to countering extremism and work alongside the Ministry...
Recommendation
The Home Office should assign greater priority to countering extremism and work alongside the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, other relevant departments, and local authorities to implement the social cohesion strategy. It is vital that the Home Office …
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Government Response Summary
The government has announced a 'fundamental reset' of its counter-extremism approach, including expanding the Extremism Disruptions team, increasing efforts to stop hate preachers, and updating engagement principles. It commits to delivering this work in partnership with other government departments and local authorities, and will establish a new Ministerial steering group reporting to the Prime Minister, with Home Office representation.
Home Office
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