Welcoming the move, Ian Watmore, Permanent Secretary for DIUS, said: Government Skills covers the development needs of approximately 825,000 central government employees and armed forces personnel. It has a vital remit in equipping public servants with the skills and training they need to build successful and rewarding careers, while delivering value to the taxpayer. DIUS is proud to be working closely with Government Skills and other Sector Skills Councils to address workforce development needs and promote diversity.

Government Skills, one of 25 Sector Skills Councils, is responsible for the skills and development of civil servants and armed forces personnel. A small team of learning and development, qualifications specialists and project and stakeholder managers work with employers to develop strategic solutions to common skills.

Andrew McDonald, chief executive of Government Skills said:Government Skills has a big, stretching agenda ahead - driving up skills levels across our sector. This move positions us well to meet that challenge: we will be working alongside Ministers and officials in DIUS while retaining our close links with the Cabinet Office and our stakeholders across the UK.