A new commission with support from former government ministers is calling on charities to submit evidence to help it understand how to strengthen community cohesion.

The commission, which is supported by the think tank British Future and cohesion network Belong, will be co-chaired by two former community secretaries: Labour’s John Denham and the Conservative Sir Sajid Javid. 

The commission has been convened by the Together Coalition to develop its early evidence base.

Charities are being asked to provide evidence and the commission will also look at public opinion through a nationally representative survey and discussion groups across the UK.

It aims to provide recommendations for policymakers and vision for the future with improved representation.

British Futures said the commission was being backed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and opposition leader Kemi Badenoch.

Sunder Katwala, director of British Future, said: “This first phase of the commission is all about gathering evidence of the challenges to cohesion and the responses that are most effective.

“So we’d like to hear from local and national charities, and other civil society organisations, with evidence of what’s happening in communities across the country, and what they are doing to bring people together.”

A later phase of the project will seek the public’s view through an engagement exercise, with a final report to be published at the culmination of the project.

Kelly Fowler, chief executive of Belong, said: “A national conversation that allows people to voice their concerns and, importantly, examines how we address them, is long overdue.

“Belong already works with a number of towns and cities across the UK to support efforts to connect people across divides and support the development of cohesion strategies in their areas. 

“We know first-hand it is critical we involve local people in shaping priorities and building resilience in their communities.”

For more information, visit the commission’s website or email evidence@livingwelltogether.org.uk to submit evidence.