Writing in yesterday’s (2 July) Times Higher, Lord Drayson, Science Minister, defended the decision to move science policy into the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), following the break-up of the old Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, in June this year. Many in the science community have expressed discontent at the move, stating that the integrity of science will be compromised by such a close relationship with business and that funding for basic research will be threatened.

Lord Drayson says that ‘BIS is the best outcome for science’ and goes on to argue that ‘the purpose of BIS is to build a dynamic knowledge economy, driven by excellence in education, strategic investment from Government and- critically – an outstanding science base’.

In the article the Minister states that the Government is commited to maintaining a ring-fenced science budget and to raising, not cutting, spend on science and technology. Lord Drayson sees BIS as the ‘strongest Government department’ and argues that locating science policy here, at the heart of Government, will increase political buy-in and speed policy implementation.

Read original article: Right where it belongs: Being part of BIS means that science is now at the epicentre of Whitehall and government, says Lord Drayson