London, UK (BBN)-Groups tackling extremism in the UK are to be given £5m this year, Prime Minister David Cameron has promised.
Cameron says the funding for local charities and campaigns is to prevent the “seed of hatred being planted in people’s minds”, reports the Sky News.
The news comes as the Government is expected to launch its counter-extremism strategy, which has been described as a plan to create a “national coalition” against radicalisation.
The strategy is to tackle violent and non-violent extremism, Cameron has said, supporting mainstream voices and address the “segregation and feelings of alienation” that are “fertile ground” for radicalisation.
It is expected to include more cooperation between police and internet firms to remove propaganda on the web and a crackdown on extremism in prisons and educational institutions.
Speaking on the topic, Cameron said: “We need to systematically confront and challenge extremism and the ideologies that underpin it, exposing the lies and the destructive consequences it leaves in its wake.
“We have to stop it at the start – stop this seed of hatred even being planted in people’s minds and cut off the oxygen it needs to grow.
“At the core (of tackling extremism) is building a national coalition of all those individuals and groups who are united in their determination to defeat extremism and build a more cohesive society.
“We will do everything we can to support them – through my new Community Engagement Forum and with practical support and funding to tackle these deep-rooted issues.
“The scale of the task is immense and that is why we need everyone to play their part.”
BBN/SK/AD