Merged DBIS department must do the business
22 Jun 2009
"Britain requires a regulatory environment that encourages enterprise, skilled people, innovation, and world-class science and research. The merger of BERR and DIUS brings together the parts of the government with key expertise in these areas," said a Government statement.
DBIS, it added, combines BERR's work in shaping the enterprise environment across British industry with DIUS's support for higher education, the science base and its role is shaping skills policy and innovation via bodies such as the Technology Strategy Board.
The new department role includes highlighting business needs to government, promoting an enterprise environment and supporting dynamic business sectors. It is also to assess the changing skills needs of the UK economy and design policies to meets via public and privately funded life-long training, and ensure the higher education system equips people with the skills and knowledge to compete in a global economy.
Also on the DBIS to-do list is:
- Continue to invest in the UK's world class science base and develop strategies for commercialising more of that science;
- Continue to invest in skills through the Further Education system to help people through the downturn and to prepare Britain for the future;
- Deliver on the government's ambitious objectives to expand the number of apprenticeships;
- Encourage innovation in the UK;
- Defend a sound regulatory environment that encourages enterprise and skills;
- Collaborate with the RDAs in building economic growth in the English regions;
- Work with the EU in shaping European regulation and European policies that affect the openness of the single market and the competitiveness of European and British companies
Continue to work to expand UK exports and encourage inward investment to the UK.
