Last week, James rightly argued that, as a nation, we must be watchful of Islamists active in Britain, to make sure they are not providing logistical or financial succour to the enemy in Afghanistan or Iraq. As well as being alert to the ideological and military threat of Islamism, though, we need to make sure that we are not inadvertently supporting the growth of that movement. For example, it has long been clear than many Islamist extremists in this country are happy to fund their lifestyles through the welfare state, paid for by the British citizens whom they so despise.
It is increasingly clear that British taxpayers’ money is fuelling extremism both at home and abroad. A week ago, Policy Exchange published a report warning that the £30m a year “Prevent” fund, intended to financially support moderate Muslim groups, was not only failing to do so but was actively being taken advantage of by extremists who were able to capitalise on the authorities’ ignorance and gullibility.
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