Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Commissioner for Countering Extremism has (a) operational independence and (b) a remit covering (i) Prevent and (ii) other counter-terrorism policies; and if she will make a statement.

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 supports the public sector, communities, and civil society to confront extremism wherever it exists; and promotes a positive vision around core, shared values.

The Commissioner is a non-statutory public appointment by the Home Secretary and operates independently from government, supported by a small secretariat of civil servants. The Commissioner reports directly to the Home Secretary.

As set out in the Government Response to the Independent Review of Prevent on 8 February 2023, the Home Secretary will look to the Commissioner for Countering Extremism to provide independent scrutiny, expertise and thought leadership as we deliver the review’s recommendations.