Lucy Frazer becomes the Secretary of State at the reformed Department for Culture, Media & Sport with ‘Digital’ being relocated to a new Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT).

The inclusion of digital in DCMS has long been seen as a misnomer in Westminster, particularly as the UK sought to rewrite policy and regulation following its EU withdrawal. Major policies, including the National Data Strategy and the rollout of broadband will be rehomed in DSIT and will enable the government to be more reflective in its response to the current economic challenges facing Britons. It is expected that the Department for Culture, Media & Sport will keep the Online Safety Bill, but wait to hear how bills covering digital competition and platform regulation will be split across the new departments.

The new Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT) will be dedicated to improving public services and growing the economy. Former Culture Secretary, Michelle Donelan, will take on this new department though her initial tenure will be short as she is expected to go on maternity leave next month.

It is expected that Labour will mirror its own front bench on these changes though Labour has yet to make decisions on appointments.

Key takeaways

1. The Online Safety Bill is expected to stay at DCMS and this department remains the sector’s primary sponsor with responsibility for media policy, including press regulation matters and Section 40. The new Secretary of State was sympathetic on S40 in previous conversations and will understand legal arguments owing to her legal career.
   
   
2. The new Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT) becomes a champion for tech and innovation and could be a barrier to competition reform legislation and bringing into law the promised Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Bill. The new Secretary of State will understand issues from her time at the DCMS.
   
   
3. There are now three departments with an interest in the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Bill and each has stakeholders with different takes and interests.
   
   
4. The PPA awaits clarification on where the Intellectual Property Office (IPOS) will sit.
   
   
5. The PPA will monitor for further new Ministers and divisions of responsibility and will write to the new DCMS Secretary about policy areas concerning our members, including press regulation and competition reform.
   
   
6. The PPA will also write to other relevant new ministers where appropriate and work with industry partners on coordinated activity.