The Semiconductor Industry in the UK

Business and Trade Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 25 May 2022 Closed: 26 May 2023 Parliament page
This inquiry will examine the strengths and weaknesses of the semiconductor industry and its supply chain in the UK. Semiconductor materials are essential in electronics and are used in computer chips in everything from fridge freezers to airliners. The new inquiry comes amidst an ongoing global shortage of semiconductors that … Read more
11 Recommendations
5 Conclusions
2 Reports
2 Oral sessions
3 Letters
2 Events
Activity timeline 10 events
25 May
2023
Report published
3 Feb
2023
Report published
28 Nov
2022
Report published
6 Sep
2022
Correspondence
6 Sep
2022
Correspondence
6 Sep
2022
Correspondence
5 Jul
2022
Oral evidence
5 Jul
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 8, Palace of Westminster
7 Jun
2022
Oral evidence
7 Jun
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 8, Palace of Westminster
Oral evidence sessions 2 sessions
5 Jul 2022
View on parliament.uk
Americo Lemos · IQE plc Dr Andrew Rickman · Rockley Photonics Paul Williamson · Arm Professor Ken Young · MTC (Manufacturing Technology Centre) Rina Pal-Goetzen · Semiconductor Industry Association Simon Beresford-Wylie · Imagination Technologies Simon Thomas · Paragraf Toni Versluijs · Nexperia UK Trish Blomfield · Intel
7 Jun 2022
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Alan Banks · TechWorks Alistair McGibbon · Compound Semiconductor Application Catapult Dr Andy Sellars · Compound Semiconductor Application Catapult Jillian Hughes · NMI (National Microelectronics Institute) John Docherty · TechWorks Martin McHugh · Compound Semiconductor Application Catapult
Recommendations & Conclusions
5 results
Clear
7 Conclusion Accepted
Fifth Report - The semiconductor i…
While it is for those in the semiconductor industry to decide how to champion its...
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, … Read more
Government Response
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.
Department for Business and Trade
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8 Recommendation Accepted
Fifth Report - The semiconductor i…
The Government was correct in its decision to instigate a review of its approach to...
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 … Read more
Government Response
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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11 Conclusion Accepted
Fifth Report - The semiconductor i…
It is not clear to us that the support currently offered by Government is at...
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
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.
Department for Business and Trade
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13 Recommendation Accepted
Fifth Report - The semiconductor i…
The UK is missing out on inward investment at a crucial time for the semiconductor...
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 … Read more
Government Response
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 Recommendation Accepted
Fifth Report - The semiconductor i…
We welcome the steps being taken by the Government to encourage talent from overseas, although...
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 … Read more
Government Response
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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Government Response AI assessment · 14 of 11 classified
Accepted 5
Accepted in Part 3
Acknowledged 4
Deferred 2
Total 11 recs + 5 conclusions
Correspondence 3 letters
6 Sep 2022 To committee Letter from the Nexperia UK Country Manager relating to evidence given to the Committee, 17 August 2022
Parliament page
6 Sep 2022 To committee Letter from the Chair to the Nexperia UK Country Manager relating to evidence given to the Committee on Newport Wafer Fab, 2 August 2022
Parliament page
6 Sep 2022 To committee Letter from the Chairman of Future Horizons relating to Newport Wafer Fab, 22 July 2022
Parliament page