This week MP Neil Carmichael discusses Theresa May’s Government

THE prime minister, Theresa May, has swiftly and decisively formed a new government.

It differs markedly in terms of personnel and structure from the outgoing government of David Cameron. It is not unusual for changes to be made – look back to recent but similar transitions where James Callaghan, John Major and Gordon Brown all put their own stamp on the government of the day – but the scale of change this time has more than raised eyebrows.

An obvious reason for this is the result of the recent referendum on the UK’s membership of the European Union.

Brexit represents a massive change of policy direction and therefore requires new approaches.

Two new departments have been created to deliver the decision to the EU; the Department for Exiting the EU – charged with the task of dealing with the huge complexities associated with more than 43 years of membership – and the Department of International Trade, necessary to negotiate new free trade agreements.

Other departments have also been remodelled.

The Department of Education is a case in point. A few years ago, I proposed a reform of it to provide for all levels of education to be covered by one department.

This has now happened so the Education Select Committee which I chair now covers early to universities and beyond. This is not unrelated to the EU because our departure from it will impact our ability to acquire certain skills thus necessitating a more rigorous attitude to preparing people for work.

I foreshadowed this development by helping to create the joint-committee on productivity, formed from parts of the education committee and the business, innovation and skills committee. This committee has already produced a report of careers advice and it working on other projects but might, itself, be rejigged following the consequential changes of the PM’s reshuffle.

This all has impact on the Valleys and Vale as key policy areas will be revisited. Economic productivity must be increased if we are to improve our export performance and social mobility – but are necessary to do and dependent on creating a truly modern and innovation economy.