Source · Select Committees · Business and Trade Committee
Fifth Report - The semiconductor industry in the UK
Business and Trade Committee
HC 291
Published 28 November 2022
Recommendations
8
Accepted
Para 85
The Government was correct in its decision to instigate a review of its approach to...
Recommendation
The Government was correct in its decision to instigate a review of its approach to the semiconductor sector and in heralding a new strategy. The industry has waited for the strategy and will base crucial decisions upon it. The Government …
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Government Response Summary
The Government has published a clear, long-term National Semiconductor Strategy, which will secure areas of world leading strength in the technologies of the future, by focusing on its strengths in R&D, IP and design and compound semiconductors.
Department for Business and Trade
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13
Accepted
Para 121
The UK is missing out on inward investment at a crucial time for the semiconductor...
Recommendation
The UK is missing out on inward investment at a crucial time for the semiconductor industry, and we are competing with other countries. The Government should secure partnerships via the US CHIPS Act, and engage with Taiwanese and other major …
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Government Response Summary
The government states that DBT is already supporting businesses in attracting investment and entering new markets, including expanding the High Potential Opportunities tech programme and the Digital Trade Network in Taiwan; international partnerships are at the heart of their approach.
Department for Business and Trade
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14
Accepted
We welcome the steps being taken by the Government to encourage talent from overseas, although...
Recommendation
We welcome the steps being taken by the Government to encourage talent from overseas, although it has yet to be seen whether they will help to solve the challenges faced by the semiconductor industry in recruiting and retaining workers with …
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Government Response Summary
The government recognizes the importance of skills across our semiconductor sector, and will train more highly skilled engineers, through expanding our support for Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs) in semiconductor related fields, supporting schools and higher education, together with industry to provide more industry placements, and welcoming international talent.
Department for Business and Trade
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Conclusions (2)
7
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 81
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.
11
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 117
It is not clear to us that the support currently offered by Government is at anything like the scale which is needed to make a real difference, or in line with a clear strategy from Ministers.
Government Response Summary
The government committed to investing up to £200 million into the sector over the next 2 years, and up to £1 billion over the next 10 years, alongside international R&D collaboration, domestic R&D, the creation of a ‘UK semiconductor infrastructure initiative’, and new centres for doctoral training.