Ministers recruit young Muslims as advisers

Young Muslims are to become personal advisers to Cabinet ministers in the latest bid by the Government to combat Islamic extremism in Britain, the Standard can reveal.

A group of 20 young Muslims is being created to provide expertise and to keep Communities Secretary Hazel Blears, Culture Secretary Andy Burnham and Schools Secretary Ed Balls in touch with the mood of Muslim youth on the streets.

Since June, more than 150 applications have been received and over the next few days the prospective advisors - aged between 16 and 25 - will take part in discussions and workshops that are designed to test their skills and suitability.

Ten teenagers from London were today joining Ms Blears in a workshop to finalise the selection of the new Young Muslim Advisory Group.

Ms Blears said: "Ensuring young Muslims have access to constructive, democratic channels for dealing with concerns and frustrations is crucial to our efforts to build communities that are resilient to extremist messages."

The names of the 20 successful candidates will be announced in October.

They will work with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Arts Council England and Sport England.