Source · Select Committees · Business and Trade Committee
Recommendation 10
10
Accepted in Part
We recommend that the Government’s Semiconductor Strategy consider scope for development of the UK semiconductor...
Recommendation
We recommend that the Government’s Semiconductor Strategy consider scope for development of the UK semiconductor industry in the following fields: • Intellectual property and design; • Supporting the design chain for leading edge node chips; • Matching UK manufacturing capability to UK design capability; • Developing manufacturing processes for silicon semiconductors; • Development of existing strengths in compound and advanced material semiconductors, to meet demand in emerging markets; • Facilitating the construction of new fabs, including consideration of an open access fab in the South Wales cluster. (Paragraph 94) The semiconductor industry in the UK 41
Government Response Summary
The government aims to double down on areas of UK expertise, maintain its lead in chip design and IP, and build a foothold in future semiconductor technologies, but does not commit to all the fields suggested in the recommendation, specifically regarding development of manufacturing processes for silicon semiconductors and facilitating the construction of new fabs.
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
The National Semiconductor Strategy sets out the Government’s ambition to ‘double down’ on where the UK has expertise within our domestic semiconductor ecosystem, alongside establishing a foothold in the areas of technological advancement and innovation that can secure our position in the global market and supply chain. Through the strategy, we will look to maintain and build on the UK’s leading edge in chip design and IP; make the UK one of the top global centres for compound semiconductor innovation; and build on our existing research base. Our support will also focus on building a foothold in the next generation of future semiconductor technologies, including in hybrid and heterogeneous integration, advanced materials and novel production processes. In order to do so, the Government will: • invest up to £1 billion into research and development support over the next decade across the UK’s semiconductor ecosystem, including through projects to fund early stage research, support innovation in businesses and improve access to talent. • support the creation of a new UK Semiconductor Infrastructure Initiative (SII) to support commercial R&D and SME growth, with funding for new enabling infrastructure across the country, including for the creation of a compound semiconductor ‘open-foundry’ ecosystem. • launch a new pilot incubator programme to support the growth of new semiconductor design start-ups by providing access to design tools prototyping capabilities, business coaching, networking and exposure to private capital. • announce plans by the Autumn to further support the competitiveness of the semiconductor manufacturing sector that is critical to the UK tech ecosystem or the UK’s national security The Semiconductor industry in the UK: Further Government Response 9