U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the creation of four new government departments, including a dedicated Department for Science, Innovation and Technology focused on technical innovations.
The changes remove digital and data policy responsibility from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and create the DSIT. The department will “drive the innovation that will deliver improved public services, create new and better-paid jobs and grow the economy,” a press release stated.
“Having a single department focussed on turning scientific and technical innovations into practical, appliable solutions to the challenges we face will help make sure the UK is the most innovative economy in the world,” the U.K. government added.
IAPP Research and Insights Director Joe Jones, who previously worked at the DCMS as deputy director of International Data Transfers, said the creation of a dedicated department on science, technology and innovation — “could pave the way for advances to the U.K. government’s work to reform the (General Data Protection Regulation), to secure new international ‘data bridges,’ and more.
“Individuals and organizations tracking U.K. privacy developments may need to brace themselves for more activity coming out of the U.K. government,” Jones said.
Announced shortly after Sunak’s 100th day in office, a spokesman for the prime minister told Metro.co.uk the changes mean “greater focus, dedicated leadership and better-targeted resources to deliver” on Sunak’s promises of halving inflation and growing the economy.
“The government needs to reflect the priorities of the British people and be designed to deliver for them,” Sunak said in a post on Twitter. “These changes will focus teams on the issues that will build a better future for our children (and) grandchildren.”
The restructured DCMS will focus on building the U.K.’s “position as a global leader in the creative arts.”