UK government restructures business, science and technology
The UK government has split its business ministries into four and removed the role of industrial strategy.
“A new Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, has been tasked with securing our long-term energy supply,” said the government. This aims to boost the development of renewable technologies.
“The move recognises the significant impact rising prices have had on households across the country as a result of Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine, and the need to secure more energy from domestic nuclear and renewable sources.” This will be led by Grant Shapps, the former secretary of state for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) that is now split into three.
A dedicated Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) aims to drive innovation, with Michelle Donelan as secretary of state. She was previously secretary of state for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, which included the telecoms and broadcasting regulator, Ofcom. This will also have to address the problems with UK universities accessing the European Horizon research programme.
“Having a single department focussed on turning scientific and technical innovations into practical, appliable solutions to the challenges we face will help make sure the UK is the most innovative economy in the world,” it said.
The third ministry is a combined Department for Business and Trade to support growth by backing British businesses at home and abroad, promoting investment and championing free trade with Kemi Badenoch as Secretary of State.
This comes as the previous BEIS committee of MPs criticized the government for delays in producing a semiconductor strategy out of DCMS: Call for UK semiconductor strategy amid confusion
- UK government offers £1m to be told how to grow chip sector
- Need for UK semiconductor strategy is urgent, says letter
A re-focused DCMS will now recognise the importance of the creative industries to the economy and build on the UK’s position as a global leader in the creative arts. This will be led by Lucy Frazer who was previously Minister of State for housing and planning in the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
The role of Ofcom and the semiconductor strategy hangs in the balance as a result.
- UK finally commissions report on semiconductor infrastructure
- UK government opens inquiry about domestic semiconductor industry
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