New BIS could ‘create more red tape for employers’

The creation of the new Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) could lead to more red tape and confusion for employers, a leading think-tank has warned.

Launched earlier this month, the new body brings together the former Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) and the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS).

But while the Government insists the merger will allow Britain to compete on a global scale and ‘create the jobs of the future’, critics have voiced concerns over the move.

Jim Hillage, director of research at the Institute for Employment Studies, told Personnel Today: ‘It took DIUS ages to get up and running and organised and it's a concern that this new ministry will take time to get going too, creating a further hiatus in policy decision when we need a clear focus and energy.

‘Continual change is not good for clear and consistent policy making. It would have been best if this was done two years ago rather than creating DIUS.’

However Richard Wainer, head of education and skills policy at the CBI, welcomed the amalgamation. ‘Merging DIUS and BERR should give added impetus to moves to ensure skills become much more relevant to what employers need,’ he said.

The merger came as part of Gordon Brown’s make-or-break cabinet reshuffle, which also saw business tycoon Sir Alan Sugar granted an advisory role in the Government.

For more information on the BIS, visit its interim website at www.bis.gov.uk.