10. Within this framework, as this paper describes, a great deal of work has been done since 2003 to develop and implement plans and programmes to strengthen counter-terrorism capabilities at all levels of Government, the emergency services, business and the wider community. Parliament has legislated to support this effort. Terrorist activity has been disrupted, including through a number of successful prosecutions in the courts.
11. While good progress has been made, at the same time the threat has grown and it has changed in character. It has both domestic and international dimensions. The terrorist attacks in London on 7 July 2005 brought home the risk of suicide attacks by British citizens. Following those attacks, the Government has worked with others to step up and deepen the counter-terrorism effort.
12. The Prime Minister set out a twelve point action plan on 5 August 2005 principally focused on strengthening powers to tackle those committed to facilitating and promoting terrorism and on strengthening community integration. A widespread consultation exercise was launched with the Muslim community. Other steps have been taken to accelerate the development of counter-terrorism capability.
13. This paper identifies the range of issues which need to be addressed in implementing an effective counter-terrorism policy against the type of threat we now face. It shows the breadth of the challenge under each of the principal strands. Each needs a consistent and effective implementation effort involving a number of partners, which the Government is working actively to achieve. In addressing the challenge, the Government is clear that particular focus and effort is needed in the PREVENT strand. The Government has an important role to play here. Ultimately, however, this is a battle of ideas in which success will depend upon all parts of the community challenging the ideological motivations used to justify the use of violence.
Providing the necessary resources
14. Additional resources have been made available both to respond to terrorist events - for example, £775m was made available following the 9/11 attacks - and in support of the delivery of the counter-terrorism strategy, including increasing the funding and capacity of our security and intelligence services and the police. By 2008, annual spending on counter-terrorism, intelligence, and resilience will reach £2bn, which is double what it was prior to 9/11.
15. Developing and delivering this counter-terrorism strategy involves all parts of Government acting together and taking a joined-up approach to dealing with this complex and wide-ranging threat. Delivery also depends upon partnerships with the police and emergency services, local authorities, and devolved administrations, as well as with the private sector and the voluntary and charitable sector.
16. Perhaps the most important of all these partnerships is between these bodies, led by the Government, and our citizens and communities. Public awareness of the threat, understanding of the measures needed to combat it, and active support and cooperation with the police are critical to the success of the strategy.
17. We also share a common interest with many other countries in combating terrorism, so work with other governments and through international organisations is an important part of protecting the UK and its interests.
18. The threat is real: this paper explains how we can all work together to understand and tackle it successfully.
19. The United Kingdom faces a continuing threat from extremists who believe they can advance their aims by committing acts of terrorism here in the UK and against our citizens and interests abroad. This paper summarises the Government's strategy for countering that threat.