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
3 results
Clear
9 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Fifth Report - The semiconductor i…
We recommend that the forthcoming Semiconductor Strategy should include: • An analysis of the semiconductor...
We recommend that the forthcoming Semiconductor Strategy should include: • An analysis of the semiconductor production and supply chain, recognising different characteristics for different subsectors of the industry, and areas of strength and weakness; • A heatmap, showing where different … Read more
Government Response
The government will publish semiconductor resilience guidance, undertake crisis and contingency planning exercises, work with external suppliers, and evaluate the UK’s future domestic semiconductor manufacturing needs as part of a commissioned research project, falling short of the comprehensive analysis and heatmap requested.
Department for Business and Trade
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10 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Fifth Report - The semiconductor i…
We recommend that the Government’s Semiconductor Strategy consider scope for development of the UK semiconductor...
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 … Read more
Government Response
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.
Department for Business and Trade
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12 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Fifth Report - The semiconductor i…
The Government must not overlook the semiconductor industry.
The Government must not overlook the semiconductor industry. Whilst we recognise the difficult fiscal picture in the UK, we call on Ministers to set up a new sector deal as the vehicle to work with industry to agree UK priorities … Read more
Government Response
The government is reviewing its approach to supporting the growth of technology companies, including in the semiconductors sector, and will build on existing R&D spending through a commitment to up to £200 million in funding for research and development across the current spending review period. The Government intends to announce plans by the autumn to further support the competitiveness of the semiconductor manufacturing sector.
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