The battle against radicalisation at the local level faces ‘unprecedented challenges' due to a lack of funding, local authority leaders have warned.

Local government secretary Michael Gove today announced a new definition of extremism in the wake of the October 7 terror attacks in Israel.

The new non-statutory definition said extremism was the 'promotion or advancement of an ideology based on violence, hatred or intolerance'.

Gove, who cited the far-right and Islamist extremists as a particular threat, said the new definition would ensure 'Government does not inadvertently provide a platform' to those setting out to ‘subvert democracy'.

Safer communities spokesperson for the Local Government Association, Heather Kidd, said councils' work tackling radicalisation was undermined by a lack of funding.

She said: ‘Funding non-statutory cohesion and anti-extremism initiatives remains highly challenging for councils.

'Ongoing budgetary pressures and uncertainties about how national policy on extremist threats will change has impacted on what they can achieve.

‘Investing in a long-term approach, which includes a multi-agency support offer for those at risk of radicalisation, is vital in addressing some of the wider issues that may contribute to individuals becoming radicalised and create tensions in our communities.'