Recommendation 6

We recognise that many Government departments have an interest in the semiconductor industry, and that these interests may overlap. But, in our view, the value of semiconductors to so many sectors of the UK economy and to UK national infrastructure, combined with the national security necessity of safeguarding 40 The semiconductor industry in the UK semiconductor supply, make it essential that a single Government department takes responsibility for nurturing the semiconductor industry in the UK and for security of supplies. We believe that that department should be BEIS, because of its overarching responsibility for industrial strategy, business support, engagement with industry and policy on research funding, and because of its role in protecting UK industrial assets from undue control by overseas entities.