The new charities minister has been urged to “think carefully about his priorities” as it emerged he would also oversee heritage, tourism and growth.
Lord Syed Kamall has had his full title confirmed as the minister for civil society, heritage, tourism and growth – the latest combination of responsibilities within the brief.
His predecessor Nigel Huddleston’s brief comprised civil society, tourism, heritage and sport.
Reacting to the news about Kamall’s four main areas of oversight, NCVO policy and public affairs manager Chris Walker said: “We know from previous experience that it can be challenging for ministers to manage large portfolios such as this, so the new minister will have to think carefully about his priorities in the role.
“The work of charities and volunteering isn’t standalone, but also cuts across the minister’s portfolio, particularly in heritage and culture.”
Walker added: “Charities will need to play a key role in addressing both the urgent short-term and longer-term challenges the country is facing.
“We look to Lord Kamall to engage across different departments and be a champion for our sector throughout the government.”
The full breakdown of Kamall’s responsibilities, as listed on gov.uk, is:
He was appointed on 20 September, having been minister for technology, innovation and life science. He was made a life peer on 11 February 2021.
Kamall is also professor of politics and international relations at St Mary’s University, Twickenham.
He was previously a research director at the Institute for Economic Affairs, a charity and think tank. In 2019 the Charity Commission issued, and then withdrew, an official warning to the IEA over alleged political content of a research report it produced into Brexit.
Kamall was also a trustee of the Kitchen Table Charity Trust, a grant-maker that has distributed about £1m in the past five years, but he is no longer listed as a board member with the Charity Commission.