Commenting on the first delivery of aid reaching Tigray since mid-December, Minister for Africa Vicky Ford said:

The conflict in northern Ethiopia has caused immense harm and suffering to more than 9 million people since it began in November 2020. Millions of civilians have been forced to flee their homes and more people are facing famine-like conditions in the region today than the rest of the world combined.

The arrival of today’s humanitarian convoy in Tigrayan controlled areas, the first since mid-December, is a welcome development and comes at a critical point in this dreadful conflict. These aid trucks, more than a quarter of which are directly funded by the UK, will help to replenish severely depleted stocks of fuel and food. The deliveries should also pave the way for humanitarian agencies to resume the provision of further urgent aid to communities that have gone without support for far too long.

Since July last year there has been almost negligible access to Tigray. The violence has made accessing vulnerable people in Tigray complex and dangerous for humanitarian agencies. Relief workers have been killed, harassed and consistently obstructed. The UK commends their bravery and perseverance.

The UK also recognises the urgent needs of communities in Afar, many of whom have been forced to flee their homes due to the fighting. We acknowledge the important role the Afar authorities have played, alongside the Government of Ethiopia and the authorities in Tigray, in facilitating today’s convoy and prioritising the welfare of civilians

Throughout this conflict, the UK has requested that all armed actors provide unfettered humanitarian access for aid agencies. We have called out abuses by all sides to the conflict and committed more than £75 million of aid to those affected in the Afar, Amhara and Tigray regions.

The UK is committed to working with all actors in northern Ethiopia to bring the conflict to a close and to promote long-term peace and development.

Lord Grade has had a long career in broadcasting, encompassing London Weekend Television, the BBC, ITV, as well as over nine years as Chief Executive of Channel Four Television.

In May 2004 he was appointed Chairman of the BBC, succeeding Gavyn Davies, resigning in November 2006 when his appointment as Executive Chairman of ITV was announced, a post he relinquished in 2009.

Lord Grade was non-executive Chairman of Pinewood and Shepperton Film Studios for 16 years. He is non-executive Chairman of Talent Bank and of the production company StoryFirst. He is also on the advisory board of Miroma SET (formerly R4E Plc), a media and entertainment marketing company.

Lord Grade is co-founder of the GradeLinnit company, a theatrical production company, having also been Chairman of Ocado, First Leisure Corporation, Camelot, the Charity Fundraising Regulator and Bradford’s Media Museum as well as being a member of the former Press Complaints Commission and a trustee of the Science Museum.

In January 2011 he became the Conservative Peer, Lord Grade of Yarmouth. However if he is appointed as Ofcom chair he will move to the cross-benches at the earliest opportunity. Lord Grade would also give up any non-executive roles that could cause a conflict of interest in him becoming Ofcom chair.

Notes

• This appointment process was run in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.
• Remuneration for the new Ofcom Chair will be £142,500 annual salary for 3 days per week.
• The Ofcom Board is appointed by the Secretary of State.
• In accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. Lord Grade is a Conservative peer in the House of Lords, however he will move to the cross benches if the appointment is confirmed. Lord Grade has not declared any further political activity in line with these requirements.

Orlando Fraser has been a commercial barrister for nearly 30 years, practising at 4 Stone Buildings. He was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2014. Previously he served on the board of the Charity Commission from 2013 to 2017, where he acted as one of two statutory legal members and chaired the Governance & Remuneration Committee as well as the Policy & Guidance Committee. Orlando has also served on the Civil Justice Council and the National Council for Voluntary Organisations’ Advisory Council.

Orlando’s involvement in the voluntary sector stretches back to 1992, when he took an aid convoy to Bosnia to help its Muslim population. Since then he has served on the Management Committee of a West London refuge for women victims of domestic abuse, served as a Governor of Ilfracombe College, edited the voluntary sector sections of Centre of Social Justice’s “Breakdown Britain” and “Breakthrough Britain” reports, and supported the Rugby Portobello Trust charity through the 2017 Grenfell tragedy. Apart from the Rugby Portobello Trust, Orlando supports a number of other charities.

Notes

• The appointment is for a term of three years. The role is for two and a half days per week, remunerated at £62,500 per annum.
• This appointment is made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code for Public Appointments.
• The regulation of public appointments against the requirements of this code is carried out by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.
• In accordance with the Code, it should be publicly disclosed if a successful candidate, has, in the last five years, been employed by a political party, held a significant office in a party, has stood as a candidate for a party in an election, has publicly spoken on behalf of a political party, or has made significant donations or loans to a party. Orlando Fraser has not declared any political activity in line with these requirements.

Governor Designate Sarah Tucker, accompanied by her husband Howard, will arrive in Montserrat on the afternoon of Tuesday April 5, ahead of being sworn in as Governor on Wednesday 6 April at the Montserrat Cultural Centre.

Mrs. Tucker said:

I am honoured to be representing Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and am committed to working with and for the benefit of the people of Montserrat.

She and Howard are looking forward to exploring Montserrat and learning about its rich culture, amazing wildlife and sampling the legendary goat water dish.

You can now follow the new Governor on Twitter on @SarahGeorgina68

The Commission for Countering Extremism has published its End of Year Review today, highlighting work done by the Commission over the course of the last 12 months in helping tackle extremism in the UK.

Robin Simcox was appointed as Interim Commissioner in March 2021. Those he has engaged with over the course of the last 12 months includes Ministers, policy and intelligence officials, law enforcement, and arms-length bodies, among others. In doing so, he has helped advise on the issues they face regarding extremism – be it online, in schools, prisons, charities, or elsewhere.

Robin Simcox says:

Over the past 12 months I have been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to input into the vital work that is taking place in this area.

Extremism is a scourge on our society and the challenges it poses are great. Communities divided, viewing each other with mutual suspicion and hatred. A rejection of democratic values and principles. A mindset that can justify or lead to hate crime or terrorism.

There is much to do. The engagement I have undertaken has demonstrated to me a need to not only increase awareness of extremism across the public sector but also increase the sophistication of our collective response. Meanwhile, the challenges Government faces around engagement, particularly with groups where there is an extremism concern, endure.

The extremism landscape is dynamic and evolving. However, the challenges it presents are consistent. I will do all I can to ensure the CCE is at the forefront of addressing them.

Read the full end of year report.