Menu
Home
People
Places
Arts
History
Plants & Animals
Science
Life & Culture
Technology
Reference.org
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
open-in-new
<h2 id="history">History</h2> <p>The department was established on 7 February 2023 after a <a href="/facts/February_2023_British_cabinet_reshuffle/ePI6M7oG">cabinet reshuffle</a> by Prime Minister <a href="/facts/Rishi_Sunak/wry2BHbr">Rishi Sunak</a>. It absorbed some of the functions and responsibilities of the former <a href="/facts/Department_for_Business%2c_Energy_and_Industrial_Strategy/6wlfwTTF">Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy</a> (BEIS) and the 'Digital' portfolio from the former <a href="/facts/Department_for_Digital%2c_Culture%2c_Media_and_Sport/FaocQdTu">Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport</a> (DCMS). The new department's first <a href="/facts/Secretary_of_State_(United_Kingdom)/2I5EYzY8">Secretary of State</a>, <a href="/facts/Michelle_Donelan/Qq465qhu">Michelle Donelan</a>, was the final Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. Additionally, the new department became responsible for a number of agencies and offices drawn from across the rest of the UK Government. These included the <a href="/facts/Government_Office_for_Science/lBwKlzpd">Government Office for Science</a> (formerly under BEIS), the Office for Science and Technology Strategy (formerly of the <a href="/facts/Cabinet_Office/FHkwzJ6D">Cabinet Office</a>), the <a href="/facts/Office_for_Life_Sciences/6Jq9GLBm">Office for Life Sciences</a> (jointly with the <a href="/facts/Department_of_Health_and_Social_Care/snoYk2Wm">Department of Health and Social Care</a> (DHSC), formerly a BEIS-DHSC joint unit) and the Office for Artificial Intelligence (formerly of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport).<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3"><sup>3</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="responsibilities">Responsibilities</h2> <p>The following responsibilities of DSIT were outlined by <a href="/facts/Rishi_Sunak/wry2BHbr">Rishi Sunak</a> upon the department's establishment in 2023. </p> <h3>Research and innovation</h3> <p>DSIT is responsible for positioning the UK at the forefront of global scientific and technological advancement. It is intended for the department to drive innovation that changes lives and sustains economic growth. It will do this by maintaining and developing the physical and digital infrastructure and regulation necessary to support the UK economy and public services, and UK national security.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4"><sup>4</sup></a> </p><p>Another stated responsibility of the department is to put British public services, including the <a href="/facts/NHS/lTzheqYw">NHS</a> and schools at the forefront of innovation, championing new ways of working (with an express focus on <a href="/facts/STEM/NAsAI1nG">STEM</a> subjects to improve outcomes for people.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5"><sup>5</sup></a> </p><p>DSIT is further responsible for managing the UK Government's Research and Development schemes, aiming to optimise public investment to support areas of relative UK strength and increase the level of private investment in an effort to make the UK economy the "most innovative" in the world. Moreover, DSIT is charged with promoting a diverse research and innovation system that connects discovery to new companies, growth and jobs – including by delivering world-class physical and digital infrastructure. This is with the professed intention of making the UK the "best place" to start and grow a technology business or to develop and attract "top talent". DSIT also functions as a means of strengthening international collaboration on science and technology in line with the findings of the 2021 <a href="/facts/Integrated_Review/wyJIyFPl">Integrated Review</a>, and to ensure that British researchers are able to continue to work with leading scientists in Europe and around the world.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6"><sup>6</sup></a> </p> <h3>Legislation and regulation</h3> <p>On a legislative and regulatory level, DSIT is responsible for delivering key legislative and regulatory reforms to drive competition and promote innovation. This includes completing the passage of new digital and data laws. DSIT is also responsible for leading the UK Government's pro-innovation approach to regulating AI.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7"><sup>7</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="ministers">Ministers</h2> <p>The Department's ministerial team is as follows, with cabinet ministers in bold:<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8"><sup>8</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:9" href="#fn:9"><sup>9</sup></a> </p> <table><tbody><tr><th>Minister</th><th>Portrait</th><th>Office</th><th>Portfolio</th></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Peter_Kyle/5Btjq3Sr">Peter Kyle</a> MP</td><td></td><td><a href="/facts/Secretary_of_State_for_Science%2c_Innovation_and_Technology/ksLuzQsL">Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology</a></td><td>The Secretary of State has overall responsibility for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology:<ul><li><a href="/facts/Online_Safety_Act_2023/yoQJQzWW">Online Safety Act 2023</a></li><li>oversight of science and technology</li><li>economic and national security</li><li>skills and talent</li><li>landscape review</li><li>research bureaucracy</li><li>regulation</li><li>overall R&D budget</li><li>Horizon Europe</li><li>Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA)</li><li>UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) relationship</li><li>OneWeb shareholding</li><li>British Technology Investments Ltd</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Patrick_Vallance/1sBc8gll">Lord Vallance of Balham</a></td><td></td><td><a href="/facts/Minister_of_State_for_Science%2c_Research_and_Innovation/62FAWFSU">Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation</a></td><td><ul><li>Domestic science and research ecosystem, including Public Sector Research Establishments (PSREs)</li><li>International science and research, including space science</li><li>Horizon Europe</li><li>R&D</li><li>Life sciences</li><li>Quantum, engineering biology and semiconductors</li><li>Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA)</li><li>Government Office for Technology Transfer (GOTT)</li><li>UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)</li><li>Tech and innovation across the missions</li><li>Regulatory Innovation Office</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Sir <a href="/facts/Chris_Bryant/wyyF8zVs">Chris Bryant</a> MP</td><td></td><td><a href="/facts/Minister_of_State_for_Data_Protection_and_Telecoms/mWnfoTtL">Minister of State for Data Protection and Telecoms</a></td><td><ul><li>Digital infrastructure and telecoms</li><li>Building Digital UK (BDUK)</li><li>Data protection (including Data Bill)</li><li>Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)</li><li>Digital inclusion</li><li>Space sector growth and UK Space Agency (UKSA)</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Feryal_Clark/phn1vT3G">Feryal Clark</a> MP</td><td></td><td><a href="/facts/Parliamentary_Under-Secretary_of_State_for_AI_and_Digital_Government/WgyHMBuk">Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for AI and Digital Government</a></td><td><ul><li>AI Safety Institute</li><li>AI transparency and ethics</li><li>AI regulation</li><li>AI opportunities</li><li>Large scale compute review</li><li>Cybersecurity</li><li>Digital public services</li><li>Digital Centre of Government</li><li>Digital identity policy </li><li>Copyright Tribunal</li><li>Intellectual Property Office (IPO)</li><li>Corporate Minister</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Maggie_Jones%2c_Baroness_Jones_of_Whitchurch/zYemNfvz">Baroness Jones of Whitchurch</a></td><td></td><td><a href="/facts/Parliamentary_Under-Secretary_of_State_for_the_Future_Digital_Economy_and_Online_Safety/bXV83KrX">Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Future Digital Economy and Online Safety</a></td><td><ul><li>Online safety and counter-disinformation</li><li>Digital Markets Unit</li><li>Tech policy and market facing technology, including skills</li><li>National Data Library</li><li>International strategy, including electronic trade</li><li>Economic security</li><li>Technology diffusion</li><li>Technology investment</li><li>National security and resilience</li><li>Geospatial Commission</li></ul></td></tr></tbody></table> <p>The department's ministers are supported by the department's civil servants under the leadership of a <a href="/facts/Permanent_Secretary_(United_Kingdom)/pY2REcHH">Permanent Secretary</a>. The incumbent Permanent Secretary is <a href="/facts/Sarah_Munby/caf4ISML">Sarah Munby</a>; previously the final Permanent Secretary at the now defunct <a href="/facts/Department_for_Business%2c_Energy_and_Industrial_Strategy/6wlfwTTF">Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10"><sup>10</sup></a> </p><p>The <a href="/facts/Government_Chief_Scientific_Adviser_(United_Kingdom)/g7PNJgoH">Government Chief Scientific Adviser</a> is also attached to the department, and holds the rank of Permanent Secretary. The incumbent Chief Scientific Adviser is Dame <a href="/facts/Angela_McLean_(biologist)/nDYLUHGN">Angela McLean</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11"><sup>11</sup></a> The <a href="/facts/National_Technology_Advisor/pzuqTaX2">National Technology Advisor</a> is also based within the department. </p> <h2 id="agencies-and-public-bodies">Agencies and public bodies</h2> <p>The following agencies and public bodies are sponsored by DSIT.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:12" href="#fn:12"><sup>12</sup></a> </p> <h3>Executive agencies</h3> <ul><li>Building Digital UK</li> <li><a href="/facts/Intellectual_Property_Office_(United_Kingdom)/dEVMDGwv">Intellectual Property Office</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Met_Office/V0reszST">Met Office</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/UK_Space_Agency/fTSBbRcI">UK Space Agency</a></li></ul> <h3>Executive non-departmental public bodies</h3> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Advanced_Research_and_Invention_Agency/BUQ5INgF">Advanced Research and Invention Agency</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Information_Commissioner%2527s_Office/NPBgoq90">Information Commissioner's Office</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/UK_Research_and_Innovation/4B6G0FBG">UK Research and Innovation</a></li></ul> <h3>Tribunals</h3> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Copyright_Tribunal/xDWd8KjR">Copyright Tribunal</a></li></ul> <h3>Public corporations</h3> <ul><li><a href="/facts/National_Physical_Laboratory_(United_Kingdom)/NM5HzE0b">National Physical Laboratory</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Ordnance_Survey/syLosef7">Ordnance Survey</a></li></ul> <h3>Other</h3> <ul><li>British Technology Investments</li> <li><a href="/facts/Government_Digital_Service/252BmFu6">Government Digital Service</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Government_Office_for_Science/lBwKlzpd">Government Office for Science</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Ofcom/gblYjeXh">Ofcom</a></li> <li>Regulatory Horizons Council</li> <li>UK Shared Business Services</li></ul> <h3>Former</h3> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Central_Digital_and_Data_Office/jGRp5jto">Central Digital and Data Office</a></li> <li>Incubator for Artificial Intelligence</li> <li><a href="/facts/Phone-paid_Services_Authority/89t9SacL">Phone-paid Services Authority</a></li></ul> <h2 id="see-also">See also</h2> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Department_for_Digital%2c_Culture%2c_Media_and_Sport/FaocQdTu">Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport</a> (2017–2023) – from which DSIT absorbed the digital portfolio.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Department_for_Business%2c_Energy_and_Industrial_Strategy/6wlfwTTF">Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy</a> (2016–2023) – defunct department from which DSIT inherited various responsibilities</li> <li><a href="/facts/Department_for_Innovation%2c_Universities_and_Skills/XUDUYxxK">Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills</a> (2007–2009) – a defunct UK government department with a similar overall purpose.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Ministry_of_Technology/FKdofJlr">Ministry of Technology</a> (1964–1970) – an historic UK government department with similar responsibilities.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Department_of_Scientific_and_Industrial_Research_(United_Kingdom)/kTFcJyaT">Department of Scientific and Industrial Research</a> (1916–1965) – an historic UK government department with similar responsibilities.</li></ul> <h2 id="external-links">External links</h2> <ul><li><a href="https://gov.uk/dsit">Official website</a></li> <li><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1134989/Making_Government_Deliver_for_the_British_People.pdf"><i>Making Government Deliver: Updating the machinery of government for the world of today and of tomorrow</i></a> (policy paper forwarded by <a href="/facts/Rishi_Sunak/wry2BHbr">Rishi Sunak</a> explaining the rationale for the department)</li></ul> <h2 id="references">References</h2> <ol> <li id="fn:1"><p>"Science, innovation and technology takes top seat at Cabinet table – GOV.UK". gov.uk. 10 February 2023. Retrieved 10 February 2023. <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/science-innovation-and-technology-takes-top-seat-at-cabinet-table" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/news/science-innovation-and-technology-takes-top-seat-at-cabinet-table</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:2"><p>Making Government Deliver for the British People: Updating the machinery of government for the world of today and of tomorrow (PDF). UK Government. 7 February 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2023. Text was copied from this source, which is available under an Open Government Licence v3.0. © Crown copyright. <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1134989/Making_Government_Deliver_for_the_British_People.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1134989/Making_Government_Deliver_for_the_British_People.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:3"><p>Crerar, Pippa; Elgot, Jessica (7 February 2023). "Rishi Sunak appoints Greg Hands as Conservative party chair in cabinet mini-reshuffle". The Guardian. The Guardian. Retrieved 7 February 2023. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/feb/07/rishi-sunak-appoints-greg-hands-cabinet-mini-reshuffle" target="_blank">https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/feb/07/rishi-sunak-appoints-greg-hands-cabinet-mini-reshuffle</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:4"><p>Making Government Deliver for the British People: Updating the machinery of government for the world of today and of tomorrow (PDF). UK Government. 7 February 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2023. Text was copied from this source, which is available under an Open Government Licence v3.0. © Crown copyright. <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1134989/Making_Government_Deliver_for_the_British_People.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1134989/Making_Government_Deliver_for_the_British_People.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:5"><p>Making Government Deliver for the British People: Updating the machinery of government for the world of today and of tomorrow (PDF). UK Government. 7 February 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2023. Text was copied from this source, which is available under an Open Government Licence v3.0. © Crown copyright. <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1134989/Making_Government_Deliver_for_the_British_People.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1134989/Making_Government_Deliver_for_the_British_People.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:6"><p>Making Government Deliver for the British People: Updating the machinery of government for the world of today and of tomorrow (PDF). UK Government. 7 February 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2023. Text was copied from this source, which is available under an Open Government Licence v3.0. © Crown copyright. <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1134989/Making_Government_Deliver_for_the_British_People.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1134989/Making_Government_Deliver_for_the_British_People.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:7"><p>Making Government Deliver for the British People: Updating the machinery of government for the world of today and of tomorrow (PDF). UK Government. 7 February 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2023. Text was copied from this source, which is available under an Open Government Licence v3.0. © Crown copyright. <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1134989/Making_Government_Deliver_for_the_British_People.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1134989/Making_Government_Deliver_for_the_British_People.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:8"><p>"Department for Science, Innovation and Technology: Our Ministers". GOV.UK. HM Government. Retrieved 10 July 2024. <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-science-innovation-and-technology" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-science-innovation-and-technology</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:9"><p>"Ministerial Appointments: February 2023". GOV.UK. HM Government. Retrieved 24 February 2023. <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ministerial-appointments-february-2023" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ministerial-appointments-february-2023</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:10"><p>Rutter, Jill (8 February 2023). "Will Sunak's reorganisation of government work and will it last?". UK In A Changing Europe. Retrieved 24 February 2023. <a href="https://ukandeu.ac.uk/will-sunaks-reorganisation-of-government-work-and-will-it-last/" target="_blank">https://ukandeu.ac.uk/will-sunaks-reorganisation-of-government-work-and-will-it-last/</a> <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:11"><p>"New Government Chief Scientific Adviser Appointed". GOV.UK. HM Government. 20 February 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2023. <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-government-chief-scientific-adviser-appointed" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-government-chief-scientific-adviser-appointed</a> <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:12"><p>"Departments, agencies and public bodies". GOV.UK. HM Government. Retrieved 9 July 2024. <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations</a> <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> </ol>