The Sunday Take: Chloe Smith’s return to government is a chance for fresh, bold thinking.

by Matthew McPherson, Director of Policy at the Purpose Coalition

Last week’s resignation of the Justice Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab has triggered another reshuffle of the government’s top team. That means more change, but also an opportunity to bring new talent to the top table.

The changes are more extensive than some had expected, with the Prime Minister using it as an opportunity to both embrace politicians of the future, such as new Justice Secretary Alex Chalk, and Exchequer Secretary Gareth Davies - an ESG pioneer before his election in 2019 - and bring experienced hands back into government. 

One particular appointment that stands out is that of Chloe Smith as interim Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology. 

Leading Britain’s newest Department - established less than three months ago - and a personal mission of the PM will be no easy task. Chloe brings experience as a Minister, including at the Treasury, Cabinet Office and, most recently, as Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. Chloe is an outstanding appointment who has a new opportunity to drive forward the ambitious change the Prime Minister is evidently determined to deliver.

Chloe has long been a supporter of the Social Mobility Pledge, the predecessor of the Purpose Coalition, and the photo on the right shows Chloe welcoming Justine to her Norwich North Constituency as part of our campaign. 

Earlier this week, I was delighted to welcome Chloe to Chair our policy roundtable, looking at how we can get more people back into the workforce. I was particularly struck by Chloe’s, business-focused and purpose-led ideas to tackle one of the biggest challenges in Britain today - labour shortages. 

There are currently 1.7 million people across the country who are classed as ‘economically inactive’, but who want to work. Chloe’s ideas, including stronger incentives for those on Universal Credit, reforms to occupational health, and establishing a disability endowment fund to back best practice are, innovative, and could play a real part in getting our economy moving. 

Chloe has an opportunity to apply that thinking to the new department. We are in a period of rapid technological innovation and change, and government needs to embrace it. Just earlier this week, leading Purpose Coalition Member Shoosmiths published a new book on embracing digital change, authored by CEO David Jackson, and senior leaders Paul Caddy and Tony Randle. It’s a fascinating, and somewhat mind-blowing read, about how technology is going to revolutionise our society in the next decade, freeing us up to build more human connections and not have to do the jobs we don’t like. You can find out more here. 

Chloe’s insight into the employment market and the future of work makes her well placed to get the new Department for Science, Technology and Innovation up and running throughout its first months, and deliver on one of the Prime Minister’s key priorities. I’m pleased to say we will be welcoming Chloe for another roundtable later this year as part of the work of the Purpose Coaltion.

The Purpose Coalition is the voice of Purpose-led organsations and next week, we’re looking forward to welcoming Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Victoria Atkins for an event to discuss how decision making in government can boost social mobility across the UK too.

My Sunday take is it’s a real positive to see experience and competence in this mini-reshuffle, At the Purpose Coalition, we work with politicians of the future to embrace and influence purpose-led change, develop new policy. You can find out about all the Coalition’s events at fit-for-purpose.org/engage