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Posted: Tue 7th Feb 2023
Prime minister Rishi Sunak has split the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) into three separate departments and reshuffled some secretaries of state.
The changes are:
A new Department for Energy Security and Net Zero with Grant Shapps as secretary of state. A government press release said it "has been tasked with securing our long-term energy supply, bringing down bills and halving inflation".
A new Department for Business and Trade which merges the business elements of BEIS and the Department for International Trade. The government said it "will support growth by backing British businesses at home and abroad, promoting investment and championing free trade". Kemi Badenoch is the secretary of state.
A new Department for Science, Innovation and Technology which includes the digital elements of the Department for Media, Culture and Sport (DCMS). The government said it will "deliver improved public services, create new and better-paid jobs and grow the economy". Lucy Frazer is the secretary of state.
DCMS remains but without the digital remit. The government described it as "refocused" which recognises "the importance of these industries to our economy" and will "build on the UK's position as a global leader in the creative arts". Michelle Donelan is the secretary of state.
has been appointed the new Conservative Party chairman. He replaces Nadhim Zahawi who was sacked due to his tax affairs.
Emma Jones, founder of Enterprise Nation, said:
"When the chancellor called for the UK to become the next Silicon Valley, we were left wondering who was thinking about the interests of the start-ups and small businesses that make up the vast majority of the business community.
"What we hope comes with this strategic restructure is more engagement with start-ups and small firms and a finer-tuned view on what everyday business owners want from their trading environment in the UK and globally.
"Business and trade are intrinsically linked but we need to make it incredibly clear how businesses should interact with this new alliance, as some will undoubtedly be daunted today."
