Conflict motivates extremists, says report

The confidential report, entitled Working Together to Prevent Extremism: Tackling Extremism and Radicalisation and drawn up after meetings between leading Muslims and government officials, says: "British foreign policy in the world cannot be left unconsidered as a factor in the motivations of extremists."

The report reveals the Home Office is also to look at whether to train and accredit imams to "raise standards". The report also says of the role of Muslim women: "New wives should also receive language training and can then be supported to do volunteering." It says that "outreach is needed to bring women out of their homes" and says "mothers lose touch with their sons after the age of 11".

The working groups suggested the formation of a "media unit" to challenge the "negative media portrayal" of Muslims and also to distance mainstream Muslims from extremists. They also say that there are "huge numbers" of Muslims working in the "informal economy" and suggest an "amnesty on such workers" to allow them to register and pay tax.