Responding to the latest Cabinet reshuffle by Rishi Sunak, ISBA has issued the following statement.
“After a period of prolonged instability, it was starting to feel as if politics was settling down into something resembling business as usual, with a focus on policy and government meaningfully engaging with our sector. We are therefore concerned that we appear to be climbing back onboard the merry-go-round – not just in terms of ministerial jobs, but also in terms of government departments.
“We of course welcome Lucy Frazer to her role as Culture Secretary, although it is dismaying that we have now had 11 Secretaries of State for that Department in ten years. But with DCMS now shorn of digital policy, it is unclear where responsibility for some of the most pressing concerns for our sector lies.
“We hope that we will swiftly have clarity from government as to ministers’ portfolios, given that we are immediately engaged on issues such as the UK’s post-Brexit data regime, online safety legislation, and the future of public service broadcasting.
“Advertising and marketing underpin the UK economy. It is reported that the reshuffle is intended to focus the Government on growth, but changes to the machinery of government which confuse the sectors that power that growth are not ideal. We look forward to engaging with relevant Ministers and officials in the coming weeks and months.”
Rob Newman, Director of Public Affairs, ISBA