The House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee has said that yesterday’s government reshuffle, which saw the removal of digital policy from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), should not undermine government action to support the creative industries.

In a letter written to the new secretary of state for culture, media and sport and the secretary of state for the newly created Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, Baroness Stowell – who is chair of the Committee – stressed that a joined-up approach between digital and creative policy is “more vital than ever”.

Stowell also asks the government how it will make sure the removal of digital policy from the DCMS will not impact that aim.

The move comes after the Committee published a report on the UK’s creative industries which found that much of the sector’s growth potential lies in areas that combine digital and creativity, such as the games industry, film and TV production, as well as interactive arts and cultural events.

The Committee said that it was concerned that the government was “complacent” in its approach to the creative industries, calling for improved coordination across digital and creative industry policy - particularly in areas such as tax reliefs, skills policy, and intellectual property protections.

The study suggests that the growing creative industries should form a key part of the government's ongoing economic growth strategy.

In her letters, Stowell also called for what she described as the "long-awaited" creative industries Sector Vision and for the government to introduce the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Bill at the earliest opportunity.

On Tuesday, Rishi Sunak announced the launch the new science and technology department.

The prime minister said that a dedicated department would help drive the innovation needed to improve public services and create new jobs.

“Having a single department focussed on turning scientific and technical innovations into practical, applicable solutions to the challenges we face will help make sure the UK is the most innovative economy in the world,” he said.

The government is also introducing a new Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, aimed at securing long-term energy supply, bringing down bills, and “halving inflation”.

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