Andy Burnham scraps DSIT

Incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham has triggered strong backlash from MPs, officials, and tech experts after instructing officials to draft plans to abolish the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).

The proposed Whitehall restructuring would transfer most of DSIT's portfolio to an expanded Department for Business and Trade (DBT) led by Jonathan Reynolds. Meanwhile, oversight of public-sector artificial intelligence (AI) use would be handed to Cabinet Secretary Antonia Romeo rather than to a government minister.

Critics have condemned the move, warning that reorganising senior science and tech officials risks wasting critical time when AI and advanced technology are set to dominate policy decisions. Former AI adviser Matt Clifford called the proposal a big mistake during a key moment for economic and national security, while one Labour MP described it as eliminating the department of the future.

Burnham's team is finalising government plans ahead of his official takeover as prime minister on Monday. Despite widespread alarm within the technology sector, some industry figures hope Burnham may rethink closing the department before formal policy announcements are made.

In an update on Monday, a banner appeared on DSIT's website stating: "This organisation is changing." 

The message explains that DSIT is being disbanded and that its responsibilities will be distributed among a renamed Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST), along with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), and the Cabinet Office.

There is currently no further clarification on which department will oversee data protection and digital regulation. Our understanding, a view shared by Jon Baines, is that DCMS will resume its role as the sponser department for the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) and Ofcom. That said, they really should fall under the purview of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ).

While DSIT is being disbanded, AI Minister Kanishka Narayan will continue his brief jointly in the Cabinet Office and the BIST.  

Additional reporting in The Register.

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