The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) was created by Gordon Brown on his first full day as Prime Minister. It brings together for the first time in Government the three strands of policy - skills, science and research, and innovation - that will be key factors in determining Britain's future economic and social wellbeing.

The Department recognises that in a rapidly changing world it is essential to develop skills to the fullest possible extent, carry out world class research and scholarship, and applying both knowledge and skills to create an innovative and competitive economy.

DIUS  has responsibility for all post-19 learning - from basic literacy to postdoctoral biochemistry and aims to improve the nation's skills at every level, with provision for people at every stage of their adult lives.

These same ambitions inform the Departments drive to create a leading knowledge economy. By supporting an excellent science and research base, and by encouraging innovation in all sectors, it will improve quality of life in this country through new technologies and improved public services. DIUS  supports the Government's aim is to make the UK the leading place in the world in which to be an innovative business, public service or third sector organisation.