Rishi Sunak’s reorganisation: history shows creating government departments in response to short-term problems is rarely a good idea

Description

UK prime minister Rishi Sunak has announced a major reorganisation of Whitehall, creating a new department dedicated to energy and another for science and innovation as well bringing various business and trade portfolios under one roof.

Reorganisations of this kind tell voters a great deal about the government of the day and its priorities. Sunak’s announcements are revealing not only as signals of his aims ahead of the next election but also of the pressures he faces.