Office for the Impact Economy moves to expanded DCMS

The Office for the Impact Economy is being moved from the Cabinet Office to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) as part of new Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s shakeup of government departments.

Leader of the House of Lords Baroness Smith of Basildon has confirmed the move for the fledgling Office, which was set up last year to help boost philanthropy and social investment.

Its move is part of a strategy of slimming down of the Cabinet Office with several of its functions transferred to “departments suited to their purpose”, she announced.

It is also being made as part of a ramping up of the DCMS’s remit, that already includes overseeing civil society. It will now also include responsibility for digital transformation, inclusion and tackling online harms and be renamed the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

In the Cabinet Office the Office for the Impact Economy had been led by former Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones, who has left government as part of Burnham’s reshuffle.

The government is looking for charity, trust and foundation leaders to apply to join an impact economy advisory group to support the work of the Office.

Earlier this week it was confirmed that the DCMS will continue to be overseen by its secretary of state Lisa Nandy.

Further junior ministerial changes are to take place this week as Burnham continues to arrange his government, since taking over from Keir Starmer as Prime Minister on Monday.

Currently Stephanie Peacock continues to oversee civil society, sport, tourism and youth as parliamentary under secretary of state within the DCMS.

Ian Murray has been appointed minister of state in the DCMS, overseeing the creative industries, media and arts.

Parliamentary under-secretary of state Baroness Twycross currently has ministerial responsibility for museums, heritage and gambling.



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