Overview
- Published documents on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, reveal training materials paid for through the £15m Community Recovery Fund that explicitly criticised Reform UK and named Conservative figures.
- The materials were developed by the Ella Baker School of Organising, a network founded by former members of Hope Not Hate, and ran a programme called 'Defeating Narratives of Division'.
- Local councils funded pilots or local courses, with Birmingham contributing £13,450 and Blackpool £9,000, and sessions delivered in Sheffield, Walsall, Solihull and Sefton including Southport.
- The training advised activists on countering anti‑immigration arguments, organising counter‑demonstrations and influencing local leaders to promote a 'more inclusive' narrative rather than right‑wing messages.
- The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said councils must not spend taxpayers' money on party‑political activity and said it can recover misspent grants while the Ella Baker network has been reported to the Electoral Commission for possible investigation.