Social integration commission to be established

A new advisory body aiming to overcome barriers to social
integration is to be set up as soon as possible, the government has
announced, writes Amy Taylor.

The Commission on Integration and Cohesion will involve all
faiths and communities and will come up with practical solutions on
how to improve community relations.

Home secretary Charles Clarke wrote to faith leaders yesterday
asking for their views on what the commission should address and
who should form the group. In the letter he said that he wanted the
body to come up with proposals by the beginning of next July.

Clarke also stated that the new body would hold public meetings
around the country to actively engage young people and those who
traditionally had less opportunity to speak out in debates on
integration.