Ministers have admitted that parts of the former Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) remain unallocated, nearly two months after its abolition by Andy Burnham. A breakdown of the DSIT carve-up revealed that a "small number of policy areas" are still without a home, and some staff are awaiting information on their new workplaces.
The letter, signed by Louise Haigh, Jonathan Reynolds, and Lisa Nandy, detailed the distribution of the UK's tech brief across Whitehall. AI policy, for instance, will be managed by several departments. Jonathan Reynolds' expanded business department will oversee AI growth, investment, infrastructure, semiconductors, quantum, and robotics. The Office for the Prime Minister and Cabinet will be responsible for the AI Security Institute and the rollout of AI across the Civil Service. An AI Taskforce, chaired by Lord Vallance, will lead the government's overall strategy, while the AI Economics Institute will be shared between the prime minister’s office and the Treasury. AI minister Kanishka Narayan will serve jointly across the Prime Minister’s office and the business department.
Lisa Nandy's Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport will take on cyber security, digital skills, broadband and connectivity, digital government, and oversight of the tech sector. This department will also inherit responsibility for the Information Commissioner’s Office. Jonathan Reynolds will also be responsible for UK Research and Innovation, the Government Office for Science, and the Met Office.
The government stated that most former DSIT employees have transitioned to new roles, but acknowledged that remaining staff, including some in corporate functions, will receive clarity later this quarter, with formal transfers to follow.