Ex-Cabinet ministers get Shoah group top jobs

SIR ERIC Pickles and Ed Balls have described themselves as “honoured” after Theresa May appointed them to be the new co-chairs of the UK Holocaust Memorial Trust advisory board.

The two former MPs will replace Sir Peter Bazalgette, who has chaired the board since 2015 and has been a key figure behind the proposed Holocaust memorial to be built next to the Houses of Parliament.

Sir Eric, the former Conservative Communities Secretary, and Mr Balls, the former Labour Shadow Chancellor, praised Sir Peter’s “outstanding” contribution.

Sir Eric, who is currently the government’s special envoy for post-Holocaust issues, said he and Mr Balls would “work to produce a memorial and a learning space that will enhance and complement existing work by government and organisations supporting Holocaust remembrance”.