Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Coverage of Department for Science, Innovation and Technology in the Nexus archive.
- Burnham's spanner in the works leaves UK government tech scattered across Whitehall
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham dissolved the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), redistributing its responsibilities across three departments. The Government Digital Service and a new AI minister role were moved to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), raising concerns about fragmented tech governance and policy coherence.
- Andy Burnham’s plan to scrap technology department triggers backlash
Andy Burnham’s plan to abolish the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has drawn criticism from MPs, Whitehall officials, and tech experts, who argue it will hinder progress during a pivotal time for AI and economic growth.
- Britain's privacy watchdog quits after 'poor judgment' admission
John Edwards resigned as Britain's information commissioner after admitting to 'poor judgment' and inappropriate humor that caused offense, following an investigation by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO). The ICO's probe concluded there was 'a case to answer,' leading to Edwards stepping down immediately.
- UK to ban social media access for children under 16
The UK government will ban social media access for children under 16 years old. The restriction applies to user-to-user platforms designed for social interaction and content posting, including those using algorithms.
- UK announces social media ban for under-16s
The UK will ban social media for under-16s, with livestreaming and communication tools for strangers also blocked for this age group. AI 'romantic companion' chatbots will be banned for under-18s, and the government will consider overnight curfews and breaks in infinite scrolling for under-18s.
- UK Treasury still deciding whether to show up to £1.7B ERP program it agreed to fund
The UK Treasury has not yet decided to join the government's £1.7 billion ERP program, despite funding it for five years. Delays in the Matrix cluster's rollout have pushed back the Treasury's decision until December 2026, as it awaits documentation to assess the feasibility and cost of migrating from Oracle Fusion to Workday's cloud-based software.
- UK boffin bait lands 18 international researchers
The UK's Global Talent visa program has attracted 18 international researchers to advance work in clean energy, life sciences, and AI. The program, with £54 million in funding, lured scientists like Professor Bryony DuPont and Dr Ivana Bukvin from US institutions to UK universities and research labs.
- UK.gov hikes health AI tender by 400% – and hundreds of millions – after a chat with suppliers
The UK government has increased the maximum value of an NHS AI and robotics framework agreement from £150 million to £750 million following consultation with tech suppliers. The procurement seeks AI solutions across eight categories including radiology, diagnostics, and operational efficiency. The decision has been approved by NHS England, the Cabinet Office, and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.
- Mozilla warns UK: Breaking VPNs will not magically fix Britain's age-check mess
Mozilla warns the UK government against breaking VPNs to fix age-check issues, arguing that VPNs are essential privacy and security tools used by millions of people. The warning comes as the UK debates online safety enforcement and child protection. Mozilla's submission highlights the importance of VPNs for users' privacy and security.
- UK.gov's top tech jobs pay more than prime minister earns
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) is hiring directors general with salaries exceeding the UK Prime Minister's earnings, with packages reaching £260K plus pension. This highlights significant disparity between top government tech roles and executive compensation.