Is Britain becoming a more racist society? Arun Kundnani looks behind the media hysteria to show how multicultural Britain is under attack by government policies and vitriolic press campaigns that play upon fear and encourage racism.

Exacerbated by the attacks of 9/11 and 7/7, Kundnani argues that a new form of racism is emerging that is based on a systematic failure to understand the causes of forced migration, global terrorism and social segregation. The result is a climate of hatred, especially against Muslims and asylum seekers. Yet the government presses ahead with flawed policies and anti-terrorist legislation that creates further resentment, alienation and criminalisation.

What can be done? This timely and precise analysis is a useful account of why racism is now thriving - and what we can do to stop it.