Overview

• The Independent Commission on Community and Cohesion, co-chaired by Sir Sajid Javid and Jon Cruddas, held its inaugural meeting on June 24 to tackle divisions exposed by last summer’s riots in Southport, Sunderland and beyond.
• Backed by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, the commission brings together 21 experts from politics, business, media and religion to devise evidence-based recommendations.
• Ministers have allocated £15 million through the Community Recovery Fund to support rebuilding efforts and dialogue in towns affected by recent unrest.
• In the autumn the group will launch a ‘national conversation’ to gather public views on strengthening local bonds and addressing root causes of tension.
• Members warn that weakening community ties and social media-fuelled misinformation present an existential threat to democratic stability if left unaddressed.