Source · Select Committees · Business and Trade Committee
Recommendation 7
7
Accepted
Paragraph: 81
While it is for those in the semiconductor industry to decide how to champion its...
Conclusion
While it is for those in the semiconductor industry to decide how to champion its causes, we believe that there is scope for the sector to play its part in improving the clarity of communication between the industry and Government, for instance through a collective voice for the sector.
Government Response Summary
The Government agrees that the UK’s approach to the global semiconductor sector must be industry-led and will launch a UK Semiconductor Advisory Panel to combine industry, government and academia to drive progress toward our vision for the sector.
Paragraph Reference:
81
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The Government agrees that the UK’s approach to the global semiconductor sector must be industry-led if it is to succeed, supporting the market and championing sector representatives. The UK semiconductor industry, and the UK sectors reliant on a regular supply of products that require semiconductor components, will play a key role in the development and implementation of the National Semiconductor Strategy. This will include identifying opportunities for the UK, and any risks emerging within global supply chains. The UK has a vibrant mix of innovation institutions that are already playing a vital role in bringing together our semiconductor ecosystem, including our world-class universities; Catapults (in particular the Compound Semiconductor Catapult); and Public Sector Research Establishments (including the Science and Technology Facilities Council). There are also a number of private sector communities, such as those run through Techworks (the Technology Network for Embedded Systems, the National Microelectronics Institute, and Power Electronics UK), that strive to provide a voice for UK semiconductor industry stakeholders. However, we also recognise that more needs to be done to establish and encourage clear communication and cooperation between industry and Government, and to bring together coherent leadership for the sector. We will launch a UK Semiconductor Advisory Panel that will combine industry, government and academia to drive progress toward our vision for the sector, and ensure we are implementing the right actions. Our UK Semiconductor Advisory Panel, jointly chaired by the Minister for Tech and the Digital Economy and by industry, will support the implementation of the Strategy. It will ensure that government, academia and industry are all working together to deliver this Strategy. It will speak on behalf of the sector to give us advice and feedback on where we are taking that vision. We will formally launch the Advisory Panel at London Tech Week in June 2023 as part of our drive to promote the sector as a cornerstone of the digital economy.