The newly-formed Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has confirmed the roles and responsibilities of its ministers this week, reports edie.net, two weeks after the department was created in Theresa May’s reshuffle of government.
In an official statement, the department, which was created following the dissolution of the Department of Energy and Climate Change, clarified its own responsibilities, bringing together briefs for industrial strategy, energy, business, consumers, employees, science, innovation, research, and climate change. Its tasks are:
- developing and delivering a comprehensive industrial strategy and leading the government’s relationship with business
- ensuring that the country has secure energy supplies that are reliable, affordable and clean
- ensuring the UK remains at the leading edge of science, research and innovation
- tackling climate change
- promoting competitive markets and consumer interests.
These will be handled by a team of ministers led by Secretary of State Greg Clark MP. The different roles for the ministers confirmed yesterday are:
- Nick Hurd MP, Minister of State for Climate Change and Industry
- Jo Johnson MP, Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation (joint minister with Department for Education)
- Baroness Neville-Rolfe, Minister of State for Energy and Intellectual Property
- Margot James MP, Minister for Small Business, Consumers, and Corporate Responsibility
- Jesse Norman MP, Minister for Industry and Energy
Business and Energy Secretary Greg 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.
“I’m supported by a great ministerial team and we will work tirelessly to deliver on all of these areas, which are vital for the future success of our country.”