Incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham's proposal to abolish the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has sparked backlash from MPs, officials, and industry experts who warn the move will disrupt AI development and economic growth.
Burnham has instructed officials to draw up plans to scrap the dedicated technology department as part of a broader government restructuring.
Opponents argue the timing is particularly damaging, coming as the UK positions itself as a leader in artificial intelligence and faces pressure to boost economic competitiveness. MPs and Whitehall insiders say dissolving the department will create inefficiency and waste resources at a critical moment for the sector.
Tech advocates have expressed concern that folding the department into other government bodies could slow decision-making and dilute focus on technology policy. The sector has already faced criticism over insufficient government support and investment in recent years.
The proposed reorganisation reflects broader changes to the machinery of government, though specific details about where technology responsibilities would be transferred remain unclear. The plan requires final approval as part of the incoming administration's wider policy agenda.
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