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Who's in charge of government IT?
Responsibilities doled out to minsters in wake of cabinet reshuffle

By Steve Ranger

Published: Tuesday 23 May 2006

As the dust settles on Prime Minister Tony Blair's major cabinet reshuffle earlier this month, it is finally becoming clear which ministers will have responsibility for IT issues.

Minister for industry and regions Margaret Hodge will take on responsibility for ecommerce - a role previously held by Alun Michael. Her other responsibilities include enterprise, growth and business investment; and strengthening regional economies.

Joan Ryan takes over the role of Andy Burnham at the Home Office, as parliamentary under secretary of state. She will be doing much of the day-to-day work on ID cards, and has already hit the road, taking the biometric passport roadshow out to shoppers at Brent Cross in North London.

Angela Smith will take on responsibility for local e-government issues at the newly renamed Department for Communities and Local Government, formerly the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Some ministers have held onto their jobs after the reshuffle.

Lord Warner retains responsibility for the £6bn NHS IT modernisation programme as minister for NHS reform. At the Department for Constitutional Affairs, parliamentary under secretary of state Baroness Ashton of Upholland continues to be responsible for the Freedom of Information Act and data protection.

At this time, though, the Cabinet Office said it hasn't been confirmed who will be taking over responsibility for e-government and the e-Government Unit.