Corporate report: Commission for Countering Extremism end of year report 2024 to 2025

This End of Year Report marks my final as Commissioner for Countering Extremism. While the threat from extremism is as stark ever, the CCE has helped ensure that government is better placed than ever to respond.

The invaluable role the CCE plays was outlined in the most recent iteration of CONTEST, the government’s counterterrorism strategy: “The Commission for Countering Extremism (CCE) provides the government with impartial, expert advice and scrutiny on the tools, policies and approaches needed to tackle extremism.

The CCE has become the government’s independent ‘centre of excellence’ on counter-extremism, and its work will continue to inform policymaking.” This approach was also spelled out in Prevent and Channel Duty Guidance.

As I wind down my time as the government’s independent adviser on extremism, I wanted to highlight these areas of particular pride.

Firstly, the CCE’s independent voice is being heard in the daily decision making of government. The CCE is now ‘in the room’ and on a footing where it can respond immediately to any counter extremism challenge government may face with independent advice and expertise. Whether it is responding to Home Office requests regarding extremists travelling to the UK; giving advice on due diligence, engagement and funding decisions; scrutinising extremist threat assessments, or so much more, the CCE is offering daily, independent advice on the minutiae of policy. This was my vision for the CCE, and I am pleased it has come to pass.

Secondly, training. It is my view that you cannot understand extremism without understanding ideology. Yet personnel is policy; and unless those implementing counter extremism policy are also persuaded of ideology’s relevance then there will remain a disconnect between central government, local authorities and other elements of the Prevent and counter extremism system.

The CCE’s training up and down the country has helped ensure that message is now understood loud and clear across government.