Mandelson spells out new Ministerial responsibilities

The new Department brings together the two former Departments - the Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform, and the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills. However, the merger has not meet with universal approval. Steve Radley, director of policy at the manufacturers' organisation EEF said: "These are badly timed changes to the machinery of government and risk diverting energy and focus from vital programmes to support investment in skills and innovation. While there may be some logic in the merger government should not be re-inventing the wheel at a time when business is looking to it for a clear steer on the economy." Lord Mandelson said the purpose of the new ministry was to help the government bring the country out of recession and build up its economic strengths and competitiveness. Mandelson himself is now : First Secretary of State, Secretary of State with overall responsibility for the Department, and Privy Council; working part of time in Cabinet Office as First Secretary of State. Pat McFadden is the Minister who deputises for him on departmental business Lord Drayson is Minister for Science and Innovation, Rosie Winterton is Minister for the Regions; David Lammy is the higher education minister; Kevin Brennan will look after the further education, skills and apprenticeships; Lord Davies of Abersoch is in charge of exports; Baroness Vadera is the small businesses minister; Ian Lucas gets regulatory reform; Lord Young has the Post Office and employment relations and Lord Carter is in charge of broadcasting and ‘digital Britain’.