An opportunity to put science truly at the heart of government
Today's shake-up of government departments sees the creation of four new departments:
- Grant Shapps becomes secretary of state for energy security and net zero
- Kemi Badenoch is secretary of state for business and trade
- Lucy Frazer is secretary of state for culture, media, and sport
- Michelle Donelan becomes secretary of state for science, innovation and technology
Reacting to the announcement, Tanya Sheridan, Royal Society of Chemistry Head of Policy and Evidence, says: "The creation of the new Department for Science, Innovation and Technology provides an opportunity to put science truly at the heart of Government. We congratulate Michelle Donelan on her appointment and stand ready to help ministers in DSIT and other new departments, alongside Defra and others, drawing on our strong scientific community's expertise to help address challenges from energy security and climate change to economic growth and healthy ageing.
"Collaboration between all government departments – and their many stakeholders across science – will be necessary to achieve the "science superpower" vision. The new Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology should prioritise UK association to Horizon Europe, long-term investment in research, ensuring a welcoming environment for international collaboration, a skilled and motivated scientific workforce, and the support for innovative small and medium companies to deliver new technologies and drive green economic growth."