Success in government, like reputation in business, takes time to establish but can be ruined in an instant. The Department for Science Innovation and Technology, a wholly new ministry established in 2023 by Rishi Sunak, was well on the way to becoming a rare government success. Now it has been abolished, overnight, by Andy Burnham.

Labour insiders claim position of Ed Miliband was key transition decision

Tech leaders from across the UK warned overhauling the department would be a ‘big mistake’ that risked losing key talent.