Machinations of Government
by Jack Stilgoe
Until yesterday, this was the DTI. The sign has now been unscrewed. Inside, there are makeshift logos for the new departments of business, enterprise and regulation reform (can't find this online yet) and innovation, universities and skills. From today, select staff will scatter to the four winds in their priuses, to be replaced with civil servants from education. Science will stay in the building. But it will be tied to innovation and education rather than business. DIUS, which yesterday had a pleasing web site consisting of nothing but green, now has some text up. it will work across government to "ensure the wider personal, community and cultural benefits of education and science are supported." Interesting...
For people who are serious about science's public value as well as its moneyspinning, this seems a good move. Now, given that Digby Jones has moved into the business half of 1 Victoria St as junior minister, who could we have as science minister?