What is the impact of DSIT's abolition on science and tech policy?
The Science and Technology Committee will continue its exploration of the implications of the government's decision to abolish the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and share its responsibilities across government.
The committee held an evidence session on this topic in September, where witnesses raised concern that abolishing DSIT risked fragmenting responsibility, weakening strategic focus on science and making co-ordination on areas such as AI harder.
Meeting details
In this session, MPs will question Ministers about the implications of the changes, hearing from Chris McDonald, Minister for Science, Innovation and Investment, Kanishka Narayan, Minister for AI, and Baroness Lloyd of Effra, Minister for Space, Cyber and Regulatory Reform. They will appear alongside senior government officials.
The cross-party committee will quiz the Ministers on the reasons for and cost of this restructure, plans for policy co-ordination across departments, and the impact of these changes on innovation and technology policy. MPs may also ask about the AI taskforce and wider AI policy, as well as the government's long-term goals and funding for UK science.