Key facts
- Andy Burnham has decided to abolish the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).
- The move will see science policy, UK Research and Innovation, and the Sovereign AI Fund transferred to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade.
- Government Digital Service (GDS) will return to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).
- The AI Safety Institute and a new AI taskforce will be housed within the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
- Critics argue the reorganisation risks disrupting Britain's AI strategy and slowing innovation.
Andy Burnham is facing significant backlash for his decision to dismantle the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), a move critics argue is a "phenomenal waste of time" and could hinder Britain's progress in artificial intelligence.
The reorganisation, announced on Tuesday, reverses a 2024 reform that consolidated science, digital government, and AI functions under DSIT to accelerate tech adoption and provide a unified voice for the sector. The decision reportedly originated within the Cabinet Office before being approved by Burnham's team.
Under the new structure, science policy, UK Research and Innovation, and the Sovereign AI Fund will be integrated into Jonathan Reynolds' newly formed Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade. The Government Digital Service (GDS) will return to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), while the AI Safety Institute and a new AI taskforce will be placed within the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Critics, including peers in the House of Lords and representatives from Startup Coalition and TechUK, have expressed concerns that this fragmentation will slow down work on key initiatives like the AI Safety Institute and the Sovereign AI Fund. They argue that embedding science and AI within a larger department like Business, Innovation, Science and Trade may lead to them competing for ministerial attention with other industrial strategies, potentially reducing their prominence.
However, government officials defended the changes. Cabinet Office minister Baroness Anderson stated that science and technology should be embedded across Whitehall rather than isolated in a standalone department, aiming for a more coherent and agile framework. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds echoed this sentiment, asserting that combining research with business and trade would enhance the commercialization of British innovation.
AI minister Kanishka Narayan has been elevated to attend Cabinet and will serve across multiple departments, signaling an effort to maintain focus on AI. Despite this, concerns persist about whether splitting AI policy responsibilities across three departments will make delivery more challenging and impact the UK's ability to attract investment in a competitive global landscape.