Government Shifts UK Broadband and Mobile to New Department

The UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, yesterday initiated yet another cabinet reshuffle and this time there was another significant change. Responsibility for digital infrastructure (e.g. broadband and mobile) has now shifted to the newly formed Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).

Until yesterday the Building Digital UK (BDKU) executive agency, as well as the related £5bn Project Gigabit broadband rollout programme and the £1bn industry-led Shared Rural Network (SRN) scheme to improve rural 4G coverage – among many other areas – all came under the Government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS).

At that point, the Secretary of State for DCMS (aka – Culture Secretary) was Michelle Donelan MP, and she was being supported by a new Digital Infrastructure Minister, Julia Lopez MP. But a lot can happen in 24 hours. In particular, the Prime Minister announced the creation of four new departments, with DCMS also seemingly losing “Digital” from its title and remit.

As a result of that, responsibility for broadband and mobile connectivity now appears as if it’s been shifted to the newly formed Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), although it took us a while to confirm this because there was no mention of broadband, digital or mobile in any of the official announcements. A rather surprising oversight. The controversial Online Safety Bill (OSB) now also comes under DSIT.

UK Government Statement

To ensure the whole of government is geared up to deliver for the British people, the Prime Minister, with the approval of His Majesty The King, has today created four new departments.

The changes will ensure the right skills and teams are focussed on the Prime Minister’s five promises: to halve inflation, grow the economy, reduce debt, cut waiting lists and stop the boats.

A new Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, has been tasked with securing our long-term energy supply, bringing down bills and halving inflation. The move recognises the significant impact rising prices have had on households across the country as a result of Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine, and the need to secure more energy from domestic nuclear and renewable sources as we seize the opportunities of net zero.

A dedicated Department for Science, Innovation and Technology will drive the innovation that will deliver improved public services, create new and better-paid jobs and grow the economy. 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.

A combined Department for Business and Trade will support growth by backing British businesses at home and abroad, promoting investment and championing free trade.

Finally, a re-focused Department for Culture, Media and Sport will recognise the importance of these industries to our economy and build on the UK’s position as a global leader in the creative arts.

The former Culture Secretary, Michelle Donelan MP, has been shifted to become the first Secretary of State for DSIT, which does at least mean retaining some continuity for the telecoms side of things. But on the flip side, we’re currently unsure what will happen to the role of Digital Infrastructure Minister, which was previously held by Julia Lopez MP but now seems to be in a state of flux. Such announcements tend to follow a little later.

In theory, the decision to put related matters of broadband, science and technology under the same department should produce better results, although such things are not easy to measure and there will no doubt be a period of disruption as the new department is fully implemented. But in the longer-term this should be beneficial, we hope.