February 7, 2023

expert reaction to the Cabinet reshuffle

The Prime Minster has created four new departments; the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the Department for Business and Trade, and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Comments on new Department for Science, Innovation and Technology:

Prof Gurdyal Besra FRS, President of the Microbiology Society, said:

“The Microbiology Society and other membership charities represent the research and innovation community at large and can supply evidence-based advice and in-depth analysis of the sector to the government. The Society wishes to send a strong message of support to new the Department for Science, Technology and Innovation and Secretary of State the Rt Hon Michelle Donelan MP. We would welcome the opportunity to join forces to tackle the world’s biggest challenges – from antimicrobial resistance to climate change – and support the UK to become a world leader in research and innovation.”

Prof John Hardy, Professor of Neuroscience, UCL, said:

“It is good to see a dedicated post of science minister again and good too that it is someone with experience of this area as previous Universities’ minister.  She is undoubtedly aware of the problems Brexit has caused higher education and science and the importance of encouraging foreign students and staff to come to the UK.  What we need, as well as an understanding of these problems, is a period of stability: ministers need to be able to learn their brief and the science and research portfolio in particular needs stable leadership rather than musical chairs.”

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.

“Michelle Donelan and her team should be supported to deliver the objectives of embedding science across government departments and the Cabinet, championing sustainable R&D funding, and delivering more effective support of the UK research endeavour.

“A first step will be to deliver Government policy to safeguard our long standing and valuable research relationships with the rest of Europe through association with Horizon Europe, which will be possible if there is agreement over the Northern Ireland Protocol.”

Prof Dame Ottoline Leyser, Chief Executive, UK Research and Innovation, said:

“The establishment of the new Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is an incredibly exciting development, signalling the Government’s commitment to building a fully joined up research and innovation system. This initiative will capitalise on our world-class talent and skills to deliver excellent public services, a vibrant innovation-led economy and high-quality jobs for citizens across the UK. UKRI looks forward to working with all our stakeholders to make this ambition a reality, transforming tomorrow together.”

Tom Grinyer, Chief Executive, Institute of Physics, said:  

“The new department for science, innovation and technology with a Cabinet seat is very good news for the UK and puts science and innovation exactly where they should be – right at the heart of government. We are entering an exciting new era powered by science, engineering and technology at a time when there are great opportunities and important choices facing the country.

“The IOP’s work shows there is great untapped potential in physics-powered businesses, university departments and specialist research organisations – just as there is in other scientific communities across the country – offering solutions to our greatest challenges and developing new sources of growth and prosperity. 

“The new Secretary of State can and must use their Cabinet seat to work with the scientific community to take these opportunities and make sure that the Government’s science superpower vision stays on track. It is vital that the new department works hand-in-hand with other departments to make sure that science doesn’t become siloed and that there is a genuinely joined-up approach to science across government.”

Hetan Shah, Chief Executive of the British Academy, commented:

“The creation of a new Department for Science, Innovation and Technology sounds a clear message about the value of research and development towards the long-term prosperity, health and security of the UK and the world.

“We urge the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology to forge close and collaborative links with the newly refocused Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The UK’s creative industries are world leading and draw heavily from disciplines across the humanities as well as the broader science base. These subjects and those within the social sciences play an equally important but often overlooked role in unlocking innovation and new solutions.

“This is a critical time for science and research, with urgent live issues such as association to Horizon Europe on the agenda – which we hope will be a priority for the new Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology. We welcome this Government’s ongoing commitment to research and development. Remaining a world-leader in the social sciences and humanities will ensure we deliver economic, social and cultural benefits for the whole nation.”

Professor Dame Anne Johnson PMedSci, President of the Academy of Medical Sciences, said: 

“We welcome today’s news [Tuesday 7 February] that the Prime Minister has created a new Government Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

“Placing science at the heart of Government through a newly created Cabinet position is an important step in realising the UK’s ambitions to become a science superpower.

“In the Autumn Statement, the Government reasserted its commitment to put research at the centre of plans for growth. Research and development drives innovation, creates high-skilled jobs in high-growth industries and, importantly, improves the nation’s health.

“Building on the Government’s commitment to UK R&D, we urgently need to resolve and strengthen our position within the international funding landscape. The scientific community strongly believes that association to the Horizon Europe funding programme is best for research in the UK and in Europe, and will improve health for all. We urge the new Secretary of State to seize the opportunity to secure this outcome. It will send a strong message that the UK is open for business and remains a premier destination to work on health research that improves lives.”

Dr Tim Bradshaw, Chief Executive of the Russell Group, said:

“The decision to create a dedicated department for science, innovation and technology recognises the value of our sector and its importance to growing the economy, creating jobs, and solving major challenges such as energy security, inequalities and net zero.

 “We hope the new Secretary of State will take the opportunity provided by the Spring Budget to back the development of more innovation clusters to create jobs and investment across the UK, built around the talent and research of our world-leading universities.

“Global research collaboration will also be high on their list of priorities and we hope they will continue to push for the UK’s association to Horizon Europe and work with the sector to ensure the funding set aside for this or alternative schemes delivers the biggest impact for the UK.”

Stian Westlake, Chief Executive, Royal Statistical Society, said:

“It is incredibly encouraging to see science, technology and innovation represented at the top table of British politics.”

Dr Daniel Rathbone, Assistant Director, Campaign for Science and Engineering (CaSE), said:

“We would like to congratulate the new Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Michelle Donelan MP, on her appointment and welcome the announcement of a new specialised Department for Science Technology and Innovation.

“This is another sign of the importance Government places on science and innovation. It is vital, however, that the practicalities of making changes in Whitehall aren’t allowed to take away from the time and resources needed to drive forward the promising agenda the Government has previously set out.

“This new Secretary of State position can help ensure cross-Governmental buy in and support by championing science at the cabinet table, whether that is in investment, skills development, or from elsewhere. This support will be essential in tackling the big issues and uncertainty currently facing the sector, such as reform of R&D tax relief system and access to European research programmes.”

Nicola Perrin MBE, CEO of the Association of Medical Research Charities, said:

“We are glad that the Government has heard calls from the sector for a new department focusing on Science, Innovation and Technology. Having a single science department means that there can be a focus on the whole research ecosystem, working with all the diverse partners including universities, industry and charities. We are looking forward to seeing a new joined up approach to science and innovation from Government.”

Comments on new Department for Energy Security and Net Zero:

Bob Ward, policy and communications director at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, London School of Economics and Political Science, said:

“It is good that the Prime Minister has signalled his commitment to delivering net zero through the creation of the new department, and it shows that MPs on the right of the Conservative Party have failed to win the argument for weakening climate policy. However, a more important question is whether the new department will be able to persuade other departments and the Treasury to accelerate action on cutting greenhouse gas emissions across the economy outside the energy sector.”

Dr Aidan Rhodes, Research Fellow, Energy Futures Lab, Imperial College London, said:

“This change is a welcome sign of the Government’s commitment to Net Zero and speaks to the centrality of energy to our lives, but it will count for very little if the new department is not sufficiently resourced to manage the step-change required to deliver the transition to clean energy. I am also somewhat concerned to see innovation and Net Zero being separated into two different departments given the importance of one to the other. This has the potential to lead to less joined-up thinking, but it remains to be seen how the Government will deal with this risk.”

Professor Anna Korre, Co-Director, Energy Futures Lab, Imperial College London, said:

“The creation of a dedicated energy department with net zero at its heart reflects the importance of energy security and sustainability for both economic prosperity and quality of life across the UK. This country boasts world-leading academic and innovation expertise in these fields. By leveraging this, we can play a significant role in the fight against climate change. As scientists and engineers, we look forward to opportunities to work together with government and the new department officials to make it a success.”

Professor Chris Hilson, Director of the Reading Centre for Climate and Justice, University of Reading, said:

“It’s welcome news that the Government is recognising that the energy and net zero agenda merits its own dedicated department. It was always a mistake for this to have been lost in the BEIS behemoth. However, the name of the new Department – with energy security at the start and net zero as an afterthought – clearly hints at the Prime Minister’s perceived need to keep the more climate sceptic wing of the party on board.

“Like the setting of targets for net zero, creating new Departments is, nevertheless, the easy part. The devil is in the implementation detail. Government announcements so far suggest that the focus will be on securing energy supply and reducing inflation via a reduction in energy prices. Its mention of nuclear and renewables will be welcomed by many, although cheap, small, modular nuclear power never seems to progress from being just around the corner. Existing large-scale nuclear plants under construction will certainly not bring power prices down. That needs to change, as does the Government’s antipathy to onshore wind. But as important as supply is reducing energy demand. Home insulation and energy efficiency may not offer as many high-viz jacket photo opportunities for ministers, but it is crucial to bringing down prices for struggling households. It is also the area where so far, the Government has largely been missing in action.”

Comments on BOTH the new Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, and Department for Energy Security and Net Zero:

Beth Thompson, Interim Director of Strategy at Wellcome, said: 

“The creation of a dedicated Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is a positive sign that the government is taking science seriously. Progress in science is integral to a strong economy and to address the health challenges facing the UK and the world. And a seat for science at the cabinet table puts it at the heart of the domestic and international policy agenda.  

“Supporting international research collaboration must be at the top of the new Science Department’s in-tray. The government should continue its efforts to associate to the Horizon Europe programme, even while building contingency plans.  

“Climate change is one of the biggest threats to health. A renewed focus on energy transition and net zero is welcome leadership for a healthier, decarbonized future. Climate action requires collaboration across departments, including health, transport and more. Ultimately, we need all ministers to be climate ministers.  

“The UK can lead the way in tackling global health challenges. This is a moment to make a clear choice on the positive role that the UK will play in the world.” 

Sir Jim McDonald FREng FRSE, President of the Royal Academy of Engineering, said:

“Innovation is the life blood of the economy and engineering innovation in the UK is world class. The creation of a dedicated Department for Science, Innovation and Technology demonstrates the seriousness with which the government is pursuing its Science Superpower and Innovation Nation ambitions. This signals welcome government support for the integral role that engineering, science, and innovation continue to play in delivering economic growth and building a more secure, resilient, inclusive and prosperous society. We have engineering innovation to thank for so many advancements that have shaped our lives today, and it is particularly exciting to see government highlighting the value of this innovation on the day we are set to announce the winner of the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering, which champions bold, groundbreaking engineering innovation which is of global benefit to humanity.

“Cabinet level leadership on both science and innovation, and for energy security and net zero, is a significant step in the right direction in enabling the many opportunities that investment in these critically important areas can offer for economic advancement right across the UK, and for tackling complex global challenges such as climate change. Nonetheless, I hope this reshuffle will not prevent science and energy policy from working in tandem with a clear, long term, industrial strategy, and from other policy areas that necessarily intersect with it. If we are to reach net zero emissions by 2050, it is essential that we continue to take a joined up approach across government departments, see these challenges from a whole system perspective and work collaboratively across the public and private sectors, and with academia, to deliver a strong and secure low-carbon energy system. Without this integration we stand to lose both economic benefits and necessary progress towards environmental sustainability.”

Dr Mark Downs CBiol CSci FRSB, Chief Executive of the Royal Society of Biology, said:

“The Royal Society of Biology welcomes the Prime Minister’s decision to create an enhanced focus on science and energy through two new departments of State. This is a great opportunity to facilitate further interdisciplinary approaches to address some of the UK and world’s biggest challenges. To realise the full potential of UK science and innovation there must be a fully cohesive approach that embeds skills and training and links these across government departments and the devolved assemblies.

“We are glad to see that this new structure will recognise the key role of science in society and provide a strong basis for leadership across Government departments”

Sir Adrian Smith, President of the Royal Society, said:

“A dedicated Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and secretary of state with a seat in cabinet is a clear signal that research and innovation sit at the heart of the Prime Minister’s productivity and growth agenda.

“The Royal Society has long called for such a cabinet level position. Michelle Donelan’s first job must be to secure association to Horizon Europe and other EU science programmes. These schemes support outstanding international collaboration and without being part of them we are undermining the Prime Minister’s stated ambition for the UK to be at the forefront of science and technology globally.

“With the UK in the midst of an energy crisis and struggling to meet its net zero commitments, a stand-alone Department for Energy Security and Net Zero would have the focus to clearly articulate the roadmap to net zero, and give the much needed investment signals to drive the innovations needed for the transition to a sustainable energy system and a net zero future.”

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-government-deliver-for-the-british-people

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