In what is a British first, a government minister has been appointed to oversee information and communications technology (ICT) in schools. Michael Wills, 47, will be responsible for the National Grid for Learning and the soon-to-be-renamed University for Industry.
The ministerial reshuffle at the end of July saw the former Department of Trade and Industry minister move to the Department for Education and Employment after Charles Clarke moved to the Home Office.
Jacqui Smith, MP for Redditch, takes over most of Clarke’s responsibilities while Malcolm Wicks is the new lifelong learning minister.
Wills, MP for Swindon North, is no stranger to ICT after his involvement on the e-commerce Bill earlier this year. He has a double first from Cambridge University and worked in the British High Commission in Delhi before becoming a producer on ITV’s Weekend World in 1982. Like Clarke, he was elected to Parliament in 1997.
