London, Oct. 8 : Young Muslims will get direct access to Cabinet Ministers in a 1.3-million-pound “community cohesion” initiative.

The new Young Muslim Advisory group is the brainchild of Children’s Secretary Ed Balls and Communities Secretary Hazel Blears, reports the Daily Express.

Tory cohesion spokeswoman Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, however, labeled the move as yet another example of Labour’s “state multiculturalism” which she said fostered a “divided Britain”. The panel is one of the beneficiaries of a £1.3million scheme that provides grants to groups that help Muslims fight “extremist influences”.

The budget has doubled in a year and is expected to increase to two million pounds in 2009. (ANI)