Ian Pearson, MP for Dudley South, has been named as the UK's Minister for Science and Innovation, replacing Malcolm Wicks. 

Pearson worked previously at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and now takes up the post in the newly created Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills. 

This new department, headed up by John Denham, brings together functions from the Department of Trade and Industry, including responsibilities for science and innovation, higher education and skills 

The department aims to bring together science, research, universities and colleges to help build the UK's knowledge-based economy.

Pearson will be responsible for:

• Business and Science
• The Research Base
• Research Councils UK
• Innovation
• The Technology Strategy Board
• British National Space Centre
• National Weights and Measures Laboratory
• The Design Council
• The National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts
• Liaison with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport
• Liaison with the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
• The Energy Technologies Institute
• The Commission for Environmental Markets and Economic Performance