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BEIS split into new business, energy and science ministries

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The Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has been broken up to create new departments with more focused objectives.

UK defence spending will rise to 2.5 per cent of GDP from April 2027
UK defence spending will rise to 2.5 per cent of GDP from April 2027 - AdobeStock/pcruciatti

Grant Shapps has been appointed head of the new Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, a government office that Prime minister Rishi Sunak said will ‘secure the nation’s long-term energy supply, bringing down bills and halving inflation’. 

Sunak added that a Department for Science, Innovation and Technology – led by Michelle Donelan - will drive the innovation that will deliver improved public services, create new and better-paid jobs and grow the economy.

“Having a single department focussed on turning scientific and technical innovations into practical, applicable solutions to the challenges we face will help make sure the UK is the most innovative economy in the world,” he said.

Commenting, Sir Paul Nurse FRS FMedSci HonFREng, director of the Francis Crick Institute, said: “Creating a stand-alone department for Science, Innovation and Technology is a highly welcome move in support of the government’s ambition to secure the UK’s position as a science superpower, and is necessary to bring about economic growth and societal good.

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