New green ministry could endanger DTI

energy

Hilary Osborne Tuesday April 10, 2007Guardian Unlimited David Miliband has seen green issues become increasingly important as environment secretary. Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/PA
A new "super ministry" with responsibility for energy and environmental policy could be created in a radical shakeup of Whitehall departments, it was reported today.
The plans, which would see the Department for the Environment, Food and rural Affairs (Defra) assume responsibility for matters concerning energy production and use, could spell the end for the Department of Trade and Industry, which currently deals with those decisions.
The chancellor, Gordon Brown, is considering the changes as a way to reduce conflict over issues that are becoming key policy areas for the government, the Financial Times reported today.