Earlier this week, the Prime Minister has reorganised responsibilities of his government departments in a cabinet reshuffle. Here’s what that means for beauty…
The move that will place more targeted focus on environmental policy, science, innovation and technology and merge business and trade strategy.
The new departments set out in the cabinet reshuffle are as follows:
- Department for Energy Security and Net Zero – headed up by former Business Secretary, Grant Shapps
- Department for Science, Innovation & Technology – led by former Culture Secretary, Michelle Donelan
- Department for Business and Trade – with International Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch extending her previously responsibilities to include the ‘business’ brief
- Department for Culture Media and Sport – headed up by Secretary of State Lucy Frazer MP
Minister Hollinrake will retain his role as the relevant minister for the beauty industry.
It is hoped that the reshuffle will result in a more streamlined process in terms of government engagement with the sector, with one department being responsible for business needs.
Commenting, Victoria Brownlie, Chief Policy Officer at the British Beauty Council said: ‘It is good to see the Government stepping back and reassessing where it needs to place greater focus in the years ahead.
‘The Council already had extremely positive relationships with the Department for International Trade and was instrumental in bringing about a dedicated team within the former Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy for personal care. There were always many synergies between the two departments, so it makes sense to see these merged to one dedicated unit.
‘Similarly with the newly formed and dedicated departments for Energy Security and Net Zero and Science, Innovation & Technology – greater focus should absolutely be placed on ensuring the UK meets its net zero targets and creates a more sustainable energy framework. We look forward to supporting this with the Council’s Sustainable Beauty Coalition.
‘Our Future Talent Programme is designed to help support a bold agenda of more young people moving into careers across the beauty industry, including roles in science, technology, engineering and maths. It’s great therefore to see Government focussed on staying at the cutting edge of innovation and new technologies, something that the British beauty industry is globally renowned for, recognising that a steady flow of talent into these fields is essential to this.’
The logistics around the reshuffle and redistribution of junior minister portfolios will likely take place over the coming months.
Click the links for more information on the Council’s activity for the Future Talent Programme and Sustainable Beauty Coalition.
