New government department set up for skills and innovation

Prime Minister Gordon Brown appoints John Denham as secretary of state for innovation, universities and skills

New department will oversee innovation and skills to compete in a global economy

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has appointed John Denham as secretary of state for the newly-created Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS).

The new department will be responsible for the development and delivery of science, research, innovation and a skills base to ensure the UK has the skilled workforce to compete in a global economy.

DIUS will assume responsibility from the Department of Trade and Industry for science and innovation to ensure research and increased business innovation.

The department will oversee the science budget, which will remain ring-fenced, and the existing system for funding will be retained.

A new Office of the Chief Scientific Adviser will also be created within the department.

The department’s remit will include responsibility for the development, funding and performance management of higher education, both teaching and research, and further education, working closely with the new Department for Children, Schools and Families.

DIUS will also be responsible for taking forward the government's wider skills agenda - including the implementation of Lord Leitch's review of skills, published last year.