The new department will be responsible for energy policy, which means the previous Department for Energy and Climate Change has been disbanded after eight years. The focus on skills, training and apprenticeships – a hot topic in the manufacturing industry – has been moved to the Department for Education.
Greg Clark, MP for Tunbridge Wells and former communities secretary, has been appointed as the head of the department, with the creation of the new role of secretary of state for business, energy and industrial strategy. Sajid Javid, the former business secretary, has replaced Clark as the new communities secretary.
Commenting, Clark said: “I am thrilled to have been appointed to lead this new department charged with delivering a comprehensive industrial strategy, leading government’s relationship with business, furthering our world-class science base, delivering affordable, clean energy and tackling climate change.”
Paul Davies, head of policy at the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), said: “The main priority for this new government department – as well as giving welcome prominence on the need for an industrial strategy – must be to ensure clear lines of responsibility and accountability for meeting both the UK’s energy needs and fulfilling our industrial and innovation potential as a nation.
“We have long been calling for consistent, long-term government policies for both energy and manufacturing – so this is a golden opportunity to do just that.
“The big question mark is skills. Lack of skills continues to threaten all UK engineering, including the manufacturing and energy sectors, so it’s vital that in moving responsibility for the skills agenda to the Department of Education we don’t create a bigger gulf between education and industry.”
