Lucy Powell has been appointed education secretary in Andy Burnham’s government as Downing Street confirmed the end of a stand-alone science department in Whitehall.
Powell, who has been deputy leader of the Labour Party since 2025, will head the Department for Education, which oversees primary, secondary and higher education.
Jonathan Reynolds was appointed secretary of state for business, innovation, science and trade.
Downing Street confirmed the merging of the Department of Business and Trade with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology—a move criticized by universities and technology organizations when details first emerged.
Prof Denied Tenure: Academic Freedom at UT Being Dismantled
