The chair of the House of Commons Science, Innovation and Technology Committee has expressed concern about the government’s decision to close the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), saying the move could fragment responsibility for science, innovation and technology across Whitehall and slow delivery at a moment when those areas are rapidly evolving.
Concerns about capacity and coordination
Dame Chi Onwurah said splitting DSIT’s responsibilities between three other departments risks diluting oversight and stretching departments that may not have the capacity to provide sustained attention to critical policy areas. The committee chair warned the change would divert time and resources away from ongoing work in sectors described as "fast-moving".
"The government’s ambition to embed science, innovation and technology as 'engines of growth' across the economy is a good one. However, scrapping the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, and splitting its functions across three other departments, risks fragmenting these vital policy areas, and overloading departments that may lack capacity to give them the attention they need."
Her remarks indicate parliamentary scrutiny will continue: the committee plans to examine the impact of DSIT’s closure in the autumn and to consider how the government can coordinate science and technology policy without a dedicated department.
Parliamentary record and prior recommendations
The committee referenced its earlier Rewiring the State report, which criticised the operational delays following a previous machinery of government change in July 2024. In that report the committee argued that the Cabinet Office, as a central coordinating department, would have been a more logical home for a digital centre than DSIT. It also urged that the Government Digital Service (GDS) be empowered with clear political and technical leadership to fulfil a central digital role.
- Risk of fragmentation: Functions spread across multiple departments may lose a unified strategic direction.
- Capacity constraints: Receiving departments could be overloaded and unable to prioritise rapidly evolving policy areas.
- Scrutiny planned: The Science, Innovation and Technology Committee will look into the effects of the closure in the autumn.
While the committee recognised the government’s stated aim — to embed science and technology as drivers of economic growth — it stopped short of recommending reversal of the decision at this stage of Parliament, calling instead for the government to align actions with the logic of a central digital function and to support GDS to deliver that role.
| Issue | Committee view |
|---|---|
| Department closure | Likely to fragment policy and overload other departments |
| Coordination of digital functions | Should sit with a central coordinating body with clear political and technical leadership |
| Parliamentary response | Committee will investigate impacts in the autumn |
The committee’s response frames the matter as one of governance as much as policy. Its focus will be on how to preserve strategic coherence for science, innovation and technology in government, while ensuring that the pace of policy development and delivery is not impaired. The forthcoming inquiry will be watched by research institutions, industry groups and public bodies that have previously raised concerns about the original decision.
