Southport Inquiry: Prevent Programme

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon Excerpts

Thursday 16th April 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Hanson of Flint (Lab)]

One of the recommendations said the issue of autism was a potential contributing factor but not the sole contributing factor. As I mentioned on the Statement last night, it is anticipated that a revised autism strategy being produced by other parts of government will be done in relatively short order. I cannot give the noble Lord a timescale from the Dispatch Box because it is not my direct departmental responsibility, but I will look into that and report back to him by letter.

[Baroness Royall of Blaisdon (Lab)]

My Lords, there can be no excuse for violence, but does my noble friend the Minister agree that there is an epidemic of loneliness in this country at the moment? Sometimes, individuals who spend a lot of time in their rooms alone are somehow encouraged to engage in violent acts. Does he further agree that perhaps it is time for the Government to renew their strategy on loneliness so that we can make a real inroad into this epidemic?

[Lord Hanson of Flint (Lab)]

I think my noble friend will recognise that there are key issues and impacts from individuals living solitary lives, getting information and their contact with the outside world via the internet and, very often, the dark web. One of the issues that Sir Adrian has raised with us is what we do about radicalisation and information provided by the internet. We will look at that. The wider loneliness strategy is an important factor that my noble friend has mentioned. It is key that we look at the type of information that goes through the net and the type of exposure that individuals have, and particularly that we improve our take-down and blocking of information that goes beyond the pale and damages our society as a whole.