UK Government appoints Semiconductor Advisory Panel
The UK Government has appointed a new Semiconductor Advisory Panel to support the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) deliver the goals of the National Semiconductor Strategy.
The panel will act as a formal conduit for industry to feed into Government actions in support of the UK chips industry and to encourage industry to take joined-up action towards the objectives set out in the National Semiconductor Strategy.
The panel is made up of business leaders from leading UK chips businesses, academics and investors. Three techUK members have been chosen to join the 11 person panel which will be chaired by the Minister for Tech and the Digital Economy, Paul Scully MP.
You can see the full list of panel members here.
National Semiconductor Strategy:
The National Semiconductor Strategy aims to support the growth of the UK chips industry, ensure a stable supply of chips for UK businesses and take steps to protect the UK from any national security risks associated with semiconductor technology.
Appointing the advisory panel was one of the first steps proposed in the National Semiconductor Strategy which set out a range of short, medium and long term objectives to support the UK chips industry. These steps include aiming to boost R&D in the sector, grow semiconductor clusters around the country, securing access to chip supplies and boosting economic resilience.
You can read techUK’s summary of the National Semiconductor Strategy here.
Further announcements on how the Government will take forward the strategy are due shortly with the next major update likely to come in the 2023 Autumn Budget.
The Chips Coalition:
techUK welcomed the appointment of the advisory panel alongside other members of the Chips Coalition.
The Chips Coalition was formed in June 2023 with the goal of providing a strong industry voice to keep semiconductors on the agenda. Semiconductors are vital to the UK’s ambitions to become a science tech superpower and if government works with national voices, targeted clusters, and industry leaders, the UK will have a chance to succeed.
The Coalition will produce recommendations, for how to support the UK semiconductor industry, including how the UK connects to global supply chains and develops the skills and infrastructure to compete internationally.
Next steps:
Working through and alongside the Chips Coalition techUK will be hosting a series of events and insights to promote the UK chips industry and the work of our members.
You can read more about techUK’s work with the Government on how to support and grow the UK Chips industry through our UK Tech Plan and our Semiconductor Hub.
Our next event will be on AI and Semiconductors held on 21 September. Details and registration can be found here.
Julian David OBE
Julian David is the CEO of techUK, the leading technology trade association that aims to realise the positive outcomes that digital technology can achieve for People, Society, the Economy and the Planet.