Compromising science

Experts have warned that the prominence of science and engineering in the UK could be at risk following the recent merger of two government departments.

The criticism has been directed at the government’s decision to bring responsibility for the science budget under a department formed last week in a merger between the Department of Innovation, University and Skills (DIUS) and the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR).

According to the government, the resulting Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) will combine BERR’s remit for shaping the enterprise environment with the DIUS’s responsibility of overseeing universities and policies on science and innovation.

This strategy is hoped to build on the UK’s future economic strengths and promote the issues set out in ‘New Industries, New Jobs’: a paper published in April 2009. However, there are concerns that moving the science budget to a business-focused department could compromise scientific research in the UK.