Adam Afriyie is MP for Windsor and the Shadow Minister for Science and Innovation, whose role was recently transferred to the new Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
The fate of the short-lived Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) is symptomatic of the desperation at the heart of Gordon Brown’s dying government.
Over the past two years I’ve been delighted to work as part of the Shadow DIUS team, ably led by David Willetts. We set out an ambitious vision to streamline skills funding and enhance the provision of careers advice and we have challenged the Government’s mindless cuts to second degree funding whilst pressing them to create flexible routes into higher education.
I have also set out a clear vision for UK science and innovation – supporting evidence-based policy and scientific literacy, updating our intellectual property laws, improving innovative procurement practices and preserving the independence of the Research Councils.
Unfortunately, it seems the Prime Minister was never really interested in what’s best for innovation, universities and skills in Britain. The survival of his weakened government appears to have been his first priority.
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