UK Government's strategy for semiconductors unveiled

A 20-year national semiconductor strategy has been launched by the UK Government's Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

The Department has listed semiconductors as one of their five technologies of tomorrow, and underpins their ambition to advance in areas such as quantum, artificial intelligence and telecoms.

The report envisions the UK leading the world in future semiconductor technologies by focusing on strengths of intellectual property and design, compound semiconductors, and R&D.

The three core objectives are:

• growing the domestic sector
• mitigating the risk of supply chain disruptions
• protecting our national security

In her foreword, the Rt Hon Chloe Smith MP, Secretary of State for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, says that they are launching the UK Semiconductor Infrastructure Initiative and investing up to £200mln into the sector from 2023-2025, and up to £1bln next decade. They are also launching a UK Semiconductor Advisory Panel.

Of semiconductors she writes, 'They are critical to the UK’s economic and national security and to the strategic advantage we will secure on the global stage.

'We are also clear-eyed about the risks given that semiconductors are fundamental to so many technologies - from ventilators to fighter jets - and their supply chains are vulnerable.'