Parliamentary Search

Written question asked by Lord Birt (Crossbench) on Tuesday, 8 September 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 22 September 2026. It was answered by Baroness Twycross (Labour) on Friday, 9 October 2026 on behalf of the Cabinet Office.

Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government why the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology was closed; and on what basis they determined which departments should be assigned its responsibilities.

Answer

The Prime Minister has made a number of changes to the Machinery of Government to rewire the state and drive economic growth across the country, including transforming how the Government is structured to approach science, innovation and technology, including AI.

The UK stands at a critical juncture where unprecedented global changes demand that we secure our position as a world leader in AI, science and technology. In this context, we cannot see science and technology as an isolated issue, limited to one department, but instead as a major priority that cuts across the whole of government and is vital to the UK’s future economic prosperity.

Recognising this, the functions of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) have been redistributed to align with the Government’s core economic and social agenda.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL3221
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Closures Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk