On Sunday 27th September, The Times wrote a scathing piece criticising the Business Secretary for his “lack of engagement” with other businesses and his “absence” during the height of the pandemic.
The newspaper alleged that Alok Sharma had not rolled out any blueprints into the different schemes that would enable businesses across different sectors help with financial provisions, venture capital, scrappage of certain policies and introduction of cuts where needed. According to the paper, the only support that these businesses have received is directed by the Treasury and No. 10 whereby they proposed VAT cuts and business rates holidays. The Times, alleged that these are short-term fixes.
But political pundits believe that there maybe certain level of conspiracy in neutralising the power of the Department of Business Energy and Industrial Strategy is as visible with the Confederation of British Industry.
Besides, only earlier in the month Alok Sharma had announced an investment of £1mn in a bid to tackle the dangers presented by space debris to satellites. He had confirmed that the government investment amount will be divided between seven projects that will develop new sensor technology or artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor hazardous space debris. The UK government along with the country’s space agency and Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed the formal agreement, saying that it contributes to Britain’s opportunity to benefit from mega-constellations of satellites. Additionally, the space agency and MoD have also signed an agreement to work together on monitoring hazards in orbit. The officials will also be tracking so-called ‘space junk’ which could pose a threat to the International Space Station (ISS) and its crew.
Responding to The Times, BEIS spokesperson had said, “We have exceptionally high levels of engagement with business across the UK and this will continue as we work together on our long-term ambitions for the economy, including by updating our long-term vision for the economy, the industrial strategy.”
