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UK News

Queen's Speech: Christian groups raise concern over extremism plans

by Hannah Tooley

Prison reform, education, adoption and harsher penalties for drivers that kill were all announced alongside sugar tax and driverless cars on the agenda.

But Dave Landrum, Director of Advocacy at the Evangelical Alliance, told Premier he was unhappy with one proposal.

The proposed Extremism Bill plans to tackle radicalisation within the UK.

Stefan Wermuth/PA Wire

He told the News Hour the inclusion of 'British values' remains unclear and the word extremism cannot even be agreed on.

He said: "What actually is a British value?

"Quite difficult to nail down this.

"Somebody's likened it to trying to nail a jelly fish to the floor - and once you actually nail it down it's dead.

"So we do have a bit of a problem with this, and we are quite concerned that the government's definitions will fall outside of what Christians value and how we see our role in society."

Toby Melville/PA Wire

A number of Christian groups claim wider government proposals on extremism could seriously affect Christians and Christian organisations volunteering with young people.

Speaking in December Christian MP Fiona Bruce said: "These proposals could seriously restrict the work of many Christians and churches.

"The idea that Ofsted inspectors are equipped to inspect and judge youth Bible groups, beach missions, or Christian summer camps is absurd.

"The Government has not properly thought through these proposals, and needs to go back to the drawing board."

Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA

Prison reform was at the heart of Her Majesty's speech.

The first six semi-autonomous "reform prisons" were announced.

One of Europe's biggest jails, HMP Wandsworth, is among the half dozen institutions where governors will be given sweeping new powers over all key areas of management.

More than 5,000 inmates at the jails, which also include HMP Holme House, HMP Kirklevington Grange, HMP Coldingley, HMP High Down, and HMP Ranby, will be ruled over by the new regime.

Under the initiative, governors will get much greater financial and legal power over areas such as budgets, opting out of national contracts, operational control on education, family visits, and partnerships to provide prison work and rehabilitation services.

Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire

The Catholic Church has welcomed the announcement, Rt Revd Richard Moth, the lead Bishop for prisons said: "This is a remarkable opportunity to place reform and redemption at the heart of our prisons.

"It is only through a properly resourced system focussed on genuinely helping people to turn their lives around that we will create a safer and more civilised society."

The Queen's Speech will also be used to repeal the Human Rights Act and replace it with a British bill of rights, it is reported.

Speaking on Premier's News Hour John Glen, Christian and Conservative MP for Salisbury, defended the move. He said: "It's about recognising that some common sense needs to be restored to the way that human rights law is applied, it's not about abolishing human rights, it's about including measures to reform and modernise the human rights framework and give protections against abuse of the system."

Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

Listen to Premier's Alex Williams speak to Dave Landrum, Director of Advocacy at the Evangelical Alliance, here:

Listen to Premier's Alex Williams speak to John Glen, Conservative MP for Salisbury, here:

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