Ed Vaizey has been promoted to role of Minister responsible for digital industries as part of UK parliamentary reshuffle.

Prime Minister David Cameron’s parliamentary reshuffle has seen Ed Vaizey, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries, promoted to the role of Minister responsible for digital industries.

As part of the promotion Vaizey’s responsibilities will be shared between his current department – Culture, Media and Sport   – and the Business, Innovation and Skills department.

While new responsibilities have yet to be disclosed, it is likely Vaizey’s brief will include addressing digital piracy through copyright legislation and work on EU data protection reform.

As UK culture minister Vaizey was responsible for the introduction of 4G and the rural broadband programme.

The Conservative MP was appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries in May 2010 and is widely regarded as an ally for the film industry within government.

In 2011 the MP for Wantage was responsible for commissioning the Film Policy Review report, which was spearheaded by Chris Smith and published in January 2012.

At time of writing the DCMS was unavailable to confirm whether anyone would be promoted to assume any of Vaizey’s previous responsibilities.

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