The UK government has published a new policy framework aimed at strengthening social cohesion and countering extremism, warning that rising geopolitical tensions, online radicalisation and social divisions pose increasing risks to national resilience.
The document, titled Protecting What Matters: Towards a more confident, cohesive, and resilient United Kingdom, sets out a cross-government programme to improve community cohesion, tackle extremism and address the impact of disinformation and foreign interference.
The strategy argues that social cohesion is now a national security issue, with hostile states and extremist groups increasingly seeking to exploit divisions within British society.
In a foreword to the report, the Prime Minister said strong and united communities were essential for national resilience. “Social cohesion is not just a good in and of itself. It is also a vital front in the resilience of our national security,” he wrote. “To put it simply: if we are to be strong on the global stage, we must have strong and united communities at home.”
The government said the strategy responds to a range of pressures that have strained cohesion in recent years, including economic hardship, technological change, demographic shifts and rising extremism. The report also warned that foreign actors are increasingly attempting to amplify divisions through disinformation campaigns and influence operations.
The plan outlines measures across several areas, including investment in communities, reforms to migration and integration policy, stronger responses to hate crime, and expanded powers to tackle extremist organisations. Among the proposals is a major expansion of the Pride in Place programme, with long-term funding for communities to regenerate local areas and strengthen civic engagement.
The government will also introduce a new Social Cohesion Taskforce to coordinate policy across departments and publish annual updates on progress. Migration and integration are another major focus of the strategy. Ministers say future policy will place greater emphasis on integration, English language proficiency and participation in work and civic life.
The document also sets out plans for an “Earned Settlement” system, under which migrants will typically need to spend ten years in the UK before qualifying for permanent settlement, with the possibility of shorter periods for those making significant contributions.
Alongside integration reforms, the government said it would continue efforts to reduce irregular migration and phase out the use of asylum hotels. The report places significant emphasis on tackling extremism, warning that both Islamist and extreme right-wing ideologies remain serious threats.
Technology companies will also face additional scrutiny under the Online Safety Act, including requirements to mitigate algorithmic promotion of harmful content and provide greater transparency over how platforms operate. The strategy also outlines measures to address religious hatred, including new initiatives to tackle antisemitism and anti-Muslim hostility.
These include expanded security funding for places of worship, a new definition of anti-Muslim hostility and additional support for reporting and investigating hate crimes. Ministers said the strategy is intended as the starting point of a longer-term effort to strengthen community resilience and protect democratic institutions.
“Building confident, cohesive and resilient communities is a whole-of-society effort,” the document states, adding that central government will work with devolved administrations, local authorities and civil society groups to deliver the programme.