Matt Clifford warns merging UK's DSIT into business department is a mistake

Matt Clifford warns merging UK's DSIT into business department is a mistake · Digg

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8:16 AM · Jul 17, 2026

1532TECH

100% true - this would be a big mistake. Right now is a critical moment for tech as an economic and national security issue. Tying up our most senior science and tech officials in a reorg wastes time and energy that’s desperately needed for the actual substance.

Dom Hallas@Dom_Hallas

Jonny is great and would do a great job at DBT. But changes to DSIT (which I’ve been getting calls about) would be a mistake. A mega department would mean British tech competing with British steel for attention. And waste 6 months reorg-ing when time is of the essence. Not good. https://twitter.com/ftukpolitics/status/2078121254377099462

IH Ian Hogarth@soundboy

8:34 AM · Jul 17, 2026

1046TECH

1/ Some thoughts on the rumour of yet another government department reorg...

Dom Hallas@Dom_Hallas

IH Ian Hogarth@soundboy

8:34 AM · Jul 17, 2026

1046TECH

2/ Reorgs like this basically distract departments for a year. If you’re serious about growth as your top priority it’s not something you do.

IH Ian Hogarth@soundboy

8:38 AM · Jul 17, 2026

1046TECH

4/ The best civil servants I’ve worked with are there to have impact. If you chew their days up with these kind of random re-orgs, the best people move on.

IH Ian Hogarth@soundboy

8:37 AM · Jul 17, 2026

1046TECH

3/ Doing it to DSIT is an odd idea given it’s one of the departments visibly delivering including creating ARIA, AISI, the AI Hardware Plan, SovAI etc. Unclear what the source who says DSIT is not "firing on all cylinders" is comparing it to?

IH Ian Hogarth@soundboy

8:39 AM · Jul 17, 2026

1046TECH

5/ All this at a time when science and tech is absolutely critical for the UK to get right - focus and execution is key.

Matt Clifford warns merging UK's DSIT into business department is a mistake

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