BEIS confirms ministerial make-up and key responsibilities

The newly-formed Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has today (1 August) unveiled its full list of ministerial responsibilities, weeks after replacing DECC in Prime Minister Theresa May's Government reshuffle.


In an official statement on the Department’s website, BEIS confirmed that MPs Nick Hurd, Jo Johnson, Margot James, Jesse Norman and Baroness Neville-Rolfe will be led by Secretary of State Greg Clark at the Department, which aims to develop “a comprehensive industrial strategy” for Britain’s green economy.

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Business and Energy Secretary Clark said: “I am thrilled to have been appointed to lead this new department charged with delivering a comprehensive industrial strategy, leading government’s relationship with business, furthering our world-class science base, delivering affordable, clean energy and tackling climate change.

“I’m supported by a great ministerial team and we will work tirelessly to deliver on all of these areas, which are vital for the future success of our country.”

Roles & responsibilities

Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner MP Hurd takes the role of the Minister of State for Climate Change and Industry after his previous role as the Minister in the Department for International Development.

Hurd’s new responsibilities centre on climate change and industry, including carbon budgets, international climate change (including the international climate fund), climate science and innovation, the green economy, the Green Investment Bank and advanced manufacturing.

Hurd boasts some strong green credentials, being a member of the Environment Audit Select Committee that took the lead on climate change policy for the conservative party quality of life policy group. He also served on two separate climate change bills and was awarded the Green Ribbon Parliamentarian of the year for 2016.

He is joined at BEIS by previous Secretary of State at the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS), Baroness Rolfe, who takes up the role of Minister for Energy and Intellectual Property.

Baroness Rolfe’s ministerial duties will broadly cover responsibilities regarding energy (supporting the Minister for Industry and Energy), Intellectual Property, the EU single market and Lords lead on all BEIS issues.

MP for Hereford and South Herefordshire Jesse Norman and ex Assistant Government Whip Margot James take up the roles of Minister for Industry and Energy and Minister for Small Business, Consumers and Corporate Responsibility respectively, while Orpington MP Jo Johnson is the Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation.

BEIS was formed from the fallout of Brexit which sparked a ministerial overhaul from new Prime Minister May. The department is a merger of the now-dismantled Deparment for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS), which has also been scrapped. BEIS now covers both previously separate business and energy ministries.

Alex Baldwin

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