Prime Minister (): On 7 February, I announced
the creation of four new government departments: the Department
for Energy Security and Net Zero; the Department for Science,
Innovation and Technology; the Department for Business and Trade;
and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Following the
implementation of those changes, I am announcing the following
changes to the sponsorship of public bodies and regulators by
these new departments.
The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority will be sponsored by
the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero under the
Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero. This will
support the Secretary of State in his role to position the UK as
a leader in sustainable nuclear energy.
The Information Commissioner’s Office will be sponsored by the
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology under the
Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology. This
will enable the Secretary of State to deliver an innovative and
effective approach to the use of personal data, which forms part
of the UK’s approach to data protection including on Artificial
Intelligence policy and regulation.
The Copyright Tribunal will now be appointed by the Secretary of
State for Science, Innovation and Technology, supported by the
tribunal’s close links with the Intellectual Property Office,
which also sit in the Department for Science, Innovation and
Technology.
The Office of Communications (Ofcom) and the Phone-Paid Services
Authority, which will shortly be merged into Ofcom, will now sit
with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology under
the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology.
This will ensure policy responsibility for the majority of
Ofcom’s regulatory remit sits in one department, while
recognising that Ofcom will retain a close relationship with the
Department for Culture, Media and Sport on broadcasting policy
and the Department for Business and Trade on matters relating to
the regulation of the Post Office.
