8 things you should know about the new Department for Business

03/08/2016

Since Theresa May became Prime Minister there has been a large reshuffle throughout the government, including many new appointments and the creation of a new business department, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

So what is BEIS? What is the department responsible for? And who does it involve?

Here we answer some of your questions.

1. What is the BEIS?

The Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) have been merged to become the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

2. What will the department do?

The new department brings together responsibilities for industrial strategy, business, consumers, employees, energy, science, innovation, research and climate change.

Its key responsibilities include developing and delivering a comprehensive industrial strategy, leading the government’s relationship with business and promoting competitive markets and consumer interests.

It will also be responsible for tackling climate change and ensuring that the country has secure energy supplies that are reliable, affordable and clean.

3. Who is in charge?

Rt Hon Greg Clark MP was appointed as Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, replacing Sajid Javid. His political background includes:

Serving as Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government from May 2015 until July 2016
Minister for Universities and Science from July 2014 until May 2015
Minister of State at the Cabinet Office from October 2013 until March 2015
Financial Secretary to the Treasury from September 2012 until October 2013
Before entering politics, he worked for the Boston Consulting Group, one of the world’s top business strategy firms

4. What does he stand for?

Clark has been a big advocate of the Northern Powerhouse and has consistently voted for reducing the rate of corporation tax. He campaigned for the UK to remain in the EU.

5. What about the small business minister?

Margot James MP was appointed as Minister for Small Business, Consumers, and Corporate Responsibility, replacing Anna Soubry MP. Her background includes:

Co-founding Shire Health, a PR and medical education business, in 1986
Sitting on the business, innovation and skills select committee between 2010 and 2012
Serving as parliamentary private secretary to Lord Green, the minister for trade and investment between 2012 and 2014
Working as a mentor for the Prince’s Trust and Young Enterprise

6. What does she stand for?

The former business owner has supported the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), a reduction in business rates and the new enterprise allowance. She also campaigned for the UK to remain in the EU.

7. What was the reaction?

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) was “delighted” with the appointment of Margot James.

Mike Cherry, national chairman of the FSB said: “We have worked closely with her in the past, both at a local and national level.

“The first priority in her ministerial in-tray must be to establish the small business commissioner to tackle late payments, and to work with the Treasury on how to boost economic growth.”

8. Who else is in the department?

Minister of State for Climate Change and Industry: Nick Hurd MP
Minister for Industry and Energy: Jesse Norman MP
Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation (joint minister with Department for Education): Jo Johnson MP
Minister of State for Energy and Intellectual Property: Baroness Neville-Rolfe

What do you think about the new Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.