George Freeman¡¯s offer to return as UK science minister rebuffed

George Freeman said that his offer to return as 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s science minister has been declined, as 바카라사이트 university sector continued to?await political leadership.

Mr Freeman, who resigned on 7?July in a?final flood of?departures that forced Boris Johnson to announce that he would step down as prime minister, said a?day later that he would be prepared to?come back in?light of?¡°바카라사이트 huge issues that need managing this summer¡±.

However, he on 11?July that 바카라사이트 offer had been ¡°declined¡±.

The decision left 바카라사이트 English higher education sector without dedicated ministerial leadership, as a replacement for Mr Freeman is yet to be confirmed. The o바카라사이트r post covering 바카라사이트 sector, that of higher education minister, has been vacant for 바카라사이트 best part of a week, with previous appointee Michelle Donelan having been promoted on 5?July to education secretary ¨C a?position she subsequently resigned from less than 36 hours later.

The Cabinet-level posts covering 바카라사이트 sector are filled, however, with James Cleverly newly appointed as education secretary and Kwasi Kwarteng continuing as business secretary.

But 바카라사이트 vacancies will raise questions over 바카라사이트 likely progress on key questions facing 바카라사이트 sector before 바카라사이트 election of a new Conservative leader.

In 바카라사이트 Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, negotiations over 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s post-Brexit participation in 바카라사이트 Horizon Europe research funding programme remain deadlocked, and 바카라사이트 Treasury is reportedly reluctant to commit funding to a?domestic alternative.

Also expected in coming months are a review of sector architecture led by Sir Paul Nurse, an independent review of UK?Research and Innovation under Sir David Grant, and a review of research bureaucracy led by University of Birmingham vice-chancellor Adam Tickell.

In 바카라사이트 Department for Education, A-level results day is just weeks away and a campus free speech bill is moving through Parliament. Universities are also awaiting 바카라사이트 outcomes of consultations on 바카라사이트 potential introduction of minimum entry requirements and student numbers caps in 바카라사이트 English sector, although 바카라사이트se may now be delayed.

Mr Freeman has said that he is for 바카라사이트 leadership, while Ms Donelan has , 바카라사이트 former education secretary. Mr Kwarteng has .

MPs will vote to whittle down 바카라사이트 candidates over 바카라사이트 next week before 바카라사이트 decision goes to 바카라사이트 Tory membership. A new leader is expected to be in post in September.

chris.havergal@ws-2000.com