Lisa Nandy remains Culture Secretary as Kanishka Narayan named AI minister
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has retained Lisa Nandy as Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport while appointing Kanishka Narayan as the first Minister for AI.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has solidified his new administration, opting for continuity within the culture portfolio while introducing a structural shake-up of the government’s approach to technology. Following his appointment on Monday, 20 July 2026, Burnham confirmed that Lisa Nandy will remain as the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, marking her retention as a signal of stability for an industry grappling with significant regulatory pressures.
Nandy, who has held the Wigan parliamentary seat since 2010, was first appointed to the culture brief in July 2024. Her reappointment makes her one of the longest-serving ministers in the department’s recent history, a notable contrast to the period between 2012 and 2024, which saw twelve different secretaries of state rotate through the role. Under the new cabinet, Nandy’s remit has been expanded to include digital services.
Media additions
The Rise of a Dedicated AI Ministry
While Nandy continues her oversight of legacy media institutions, the government has created a new cabinet-level position dedicated to the rapid development of artificial intelligence. Kanishka Narayan, the Member of Parliament for the Vale of Glamorgan, has been appointed as the UK’s first Minister for AI. This new role will operate across the Cabinet Office and the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade.
Narayan, elected in July 2024, moves from his previous role as a junior ministerial position. In a statement regarding his appointment, Narayan indicated that his focus would be on balancing the economic potential of the technology with the urgent need for a regulatory framework. Nations have a narrow window to decide whether they shape AI or get shaped by it,
Narayan said, emphasising a need for pace and ambition
in securing British influence. Industry observers expect Narayan to coordinate closely with Nandy on the contentious issue of copyright, specifically regarding the use of creative works to train large language models.
A Full Plate for the Culture Department
Nandy’s continued tenure at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport comes at a time when the creative economy faces systemic challenges. The Secretary of State is currently navigating several high-profile issues:
- The BBC Royal Charter Renewal: With the current charter set to expire in 2027, Nandy is tasked with overseeing the transition to a sustainable funding model. She recently described the corporation as
one of the most important institutions in this country
to a parliamentary committee on 13 July 2026. - Corporate Consolidation: The government faces pressure to intervene in major media deals, including the proposed acquisition of ITV by Comcast-owned Sky and the associated spin-off of ITV Studios. Independent producers have warned that such consolidation poses an existential threat to the sector.
- Creative Arts Funding: Trade bodies and unions, including Equity, have highlighted the long-term decline in local authority arts spending and called for a roadmap to increase national investment in the sector.
Industry Reaction
The decision to retain Nandy has been met with a mix of relief and urgency from the sector. Marcus Ryder, CEO of the Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity, praised the move as an end to the ministerial musical chairs
that had long hampered policy development. Conversely, the Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television (Pact) has urged Nandy to implement immediate regulatory safeguards regarding the future of independent production.
The appointment of Narayan to the Cabinet is also being closely watched. UK Music has already outlined a set of requirements for the new government, including specific rules to govern the use of AI in creative outputs and the removal of barriers for artists touring between the UK and the European Union.
What to Watch Next
- Regulatory Decisions: The outcome of the Comcast-Sky and ITV merger remains pending, which will test the government’s stance on market competition.
- Charter Negotiations: The formal consultation and legislative process for the BBC’s long-term future will intensify as the 2027 expiration of the Royal Charter approaches.
- AI Policy Framework: Narayan is expected to outline the government's approach to domestic AI regulation, specifically addressing how creators can protect their work from unauthorized machine learning training.
