Britain's strength lies in our freedom and our steadfast commitment to tolerance, respect for the individual and parliamentary democracy. Extremism runs counter to these fundamental British values. It can lead people to violence, it can divide our communities and we must confront it.
The Government's Prevent strategy responds to the ideological challenge we face from aspects of extremism, and the threat from those who promote extremist views. The Government is also toughening up charity rules and the powers of the Charity Commission, working with Ofcom to deal with extremist broadcasts, and improving the inspection regime and strengthening the rules for schools. Since 2010, over 100,000 pieces of terrorist-related material have been removed from the internet at the request of the dedicated Counter-Terrorism Internet Referral Unit, and a network of organisations has been established that work with people who are drifting into extremism and violence.
The Government is also committed to the introduction of Extremist Disruption Orders (EDO), which will seek to restrict the harmful activities of extremist individuals who spread hate but do not break laws. This will be a civil order, imposed by a High Court upon application by the police.
We are proud to be an open, free and tolerant nation, but rest assured that we will stand up for our values and secure our way of life for generations to come.