Brown "sharpens focus" on skills

A new government department has been created to address the skills shortage currently causing concern for UK industry and business.

The Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) will be responsible for improving "high-end graduate skills" and raising the general skill level of the working population.

In a written statement to parliament the new prime minister, Gordon Brown, said the department changes would "sharpen the focus of central government".

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The statement said the new department will make the UK one of the best locations for science, research and innovation.

The DIUS will also be responsible for the development, funding and performance of higher and further education.

The DIUS takes this responsibility from the Department of Trade and Industry which has been renamed the Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform and will focus on improving conditions for businesss success in the UK.

The new department will mean the Department for Education and Skills and the DTI will be disbanded, the statement added.