Mandelson spells out his new department’s role but manufacturers are critical

Lord Mandelson said the future competitiveness of the country depended on the excellence of its science. However, the merger has not meet with universal approval. Steve Radley, director of policy at the manufacturers' organisation EEF said: "These are badly timed changes to the machinery of government and risk diverting energy and focus from vital programmes to support investment in skills and innovation. While there may be some logic in the merger government should not be re-inventing the wheel at a time when business is looking to it for a clear steer on the economy." The newly created Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is a new single department that the government says is committed to building Britain's future economic strengths. It believes the merger of BERR and DIUS brings together the parts of the government with key expertise in these areas. Lord Mandelson added: "A new world is emerging. One on the edge of a new industrial revolution that's driven by new technologies and the world's shift to low-carbon. And where global competition will be even tougher. To fully realise our potential as a country, now is the time that we need to define those comparative advantages that will secure our global lead in this future. And our ability to maintain and develop our strong science base through both applied and a substantial element of fundamental curiousity-driven research, will be essential to our long-term economic success."