Asked by: Bill Esterson (Labour - Sefton Central)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, when she plans to respond to the email of 12 May 2023 from the Hon. member for Sefton Central, Case reference BE 1233, on fake reviews of businesses.
Answered by Paul Scully
The Department attaches great importance to the timely processing of all correspondence. Making the most of the opportunities presented by the formation of a new department, the new team is working to maximise efficiency and innovation. Performance is regularly reviewed to ensure response times and backlogs are being actively managed. We apologise for the exceptional delay in replying to this case and will respond as a matter of urgency
Asked by: Bill Esterson (Labour - Sefton Central)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, when she plans to respond to the email correspondence from the hon. Member for Sefton Central sent on 22 May 2023.
Answered by John Whittingdale
I can confirm that your letter was transferred to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 22 May 2023, and that a response was issued on 15 June 2023.
Asked by: Bill Esterson (Labour - Sefton Central)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to section 7.4 on Skills and talent in the National Semiconductor Strategy, published by her Department on 19 May 2023, what her expected timescale is for a reduction in shortages of people with the skills required for operator and technician-level positions; and what recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Education on ensuring that (a) vocational, (b) graduate and (c) post-graduate courses help to reduce skills gaps in the semiconductor industry.
Answered by Paul Scully
The Government’s new National Semiconductor Strategy recognises that skills are a fundamental building block underpinning the semiconductor sector at every stage from research, development, and innovation, through to commercialisation and industrial scale up.
That’s why the Government is taking action to make the UK talent pool stronger and more dynamic, supplying industry across all regions of the UK. From apprentices to PhD graduates, we are focussed on ensuring the UK has the right people with the right skills for the job.
Our approach to skills within the Strategy comes broadly in two parts: first, our investment in schools and teachers, as well as career advice and outreach programmes to inspire the next generation, and to nurture the higher education sector. Second, we will promote industry-led learning to ensure a robust pipeline of talent that meets their needs.
The Government has already supported over 450 PhD students since 2017 to begin semiconductor related research. And we will continue to provide support to Centres for Doctoral Training to help produce the next generation of internationally recognised doctoral researchers.
We will also ensure that occupational standards for apprenticeships, higher technical qualifications (HTQs) and T-Levels meet the specific requirements of the semiconductor industry.
In addition, we are supporting the Department for Education’s Institute of Technology programme which has been backed by £300 million of government capital investment. We are encouraging more employers who serve the semiconductor industry to engage with the Institute of Technology programme to ensure that the sector’s specialisms are better served through this novel education delivery mechanism.
Getting our approach right on skills is a cross-government effort. We will continue to work with the Department of Education, industry partners and wider stakeholders on this agenda as we progress the commitments within the Strategy.
Asked by: Bill Esterson (Labour - Sefton Central)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the National Semiconductor Strategy, published 19 May 2023, whether she plans to increase the availability of scaleup funding programs to assist the commercialisation of semiconductor businesses.
Answered by Paul Scully
Through the National Semiconductor Strategy the government announced an investment of up to £200 million over the years 2023-25 and up to £1 billion in the next decade.
This builds upon significant support for high-tech enterprise including a £500 million per year package of support for R&D intensive businesses through changes to R&D tax credits announced in the Spring Budget, and through ‘full expensing’ for companies incurring qualifying expenditure on the provision of new plant and machinery.
In addition, over the past 10 years alone, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) has invested £539 million into semiconductor related research. And through InnovateUK, we have distributed £214 million of grants over the last 10 years directly to SMEs in the semiconductor sector.
The Government has also supported over 450 PhD students since 2017 to begin semiconductor related research and we currently have 7 active Centres for Doctoral Training. We will continue to provide support for these Centres to help produce the next generation of internationally recognised doctoral researchers.
To aid commercialisation we will pilot a new UK incubator programme in 2023 to support new semiconductor start-ups in the UK to grow and thrive. This programme will aim to lower the barriers to growth for new companies in the sector, by providing access to design tools and prototyping, business coaching and improve access to private finance.
We will also announce plans by the autumn to further support the competitiveness of the UK’s semiconductor manufacturing sector.
Asked by: Bill Esterson (Labour - Sefton Central)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the National Semiconductor Strategy, published 19 May 2023, what plans she has to clarify inward investment regulations with (a) European, (b) Asian and (c) American nations to enable improved commercial development for UK semiconductor businesses.
Answered by Paul Scully
The Government will always enthusiastically champion free trade. We recognise that the vast majority of inward investment is highly beneficial to our economy and prosperity.
However, the openness of our economy can increase vulnerability to risks in some sectors, including semiconductors, and in the resilience of our supply chains. We need to mitigate these risks in order to protect our citizens and to continue to enjoy the benefits of a secure open economy.
We know from industry feedback that we can be clearer and more transparent about the parts of the sector we want to protect. The National Semiconductor Strategy commits to publishing further guidance for industry so that they can better understand how we view the most sensitive parts of the UK’s semiconductor sector.
Asked by: Bill Esterson (Labour - Sefton Central)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the National Semiconductor Strategy, published 19 May 2023, what plans she has to incentivise research and development in the UK semiconductor industry.
Answered by Paul Scully
Through the National Semiconductor Strategy the government announced an investment of up to £200 million over the years 2023-25 and up to £1 billion in the next decade.
This builds upon significant support for high-tech enterprise including a £500 million per year package of support for R&D intensive businesses through changes to R&D tax credits announced in the Spring Budget, and through ‘full expensing’ for companies incurring qualifying expenditure on the provision of new plant and machinery.
In addition, over the past 10 years alone, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) has invested £539 million into semiconductor related research. And through InnovateUK, we have distributed £214 million of grants over the last 10 years directly to SMEs in the semiconductor sector.
The Government has also supported over 450 PhD students since 2017 to begin semiconductor related research and we currently have 7 active Centres for Doctoral Training. We will continue to provide support for these Centres to help produce the next generation of internationally recognised doctoral researchers.
To aid commercialisation we will pilot a new UK incubator programme in 2023 to support new semiconductor start-ups in the UK to grow and thrive. This programme will aim to lower the barriers to growth for new companies in the sector, by providing access to design tools and prototyping, business coaching and improve access to private finance.
We will also announce plans by the autumn to further support the competitiveness of the UK’s semiconductor manufacturing sector.
Asked by: Bill Esterson (Labour - Sefton Central)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the National Semiconductor Strategy, published 19 May 2023, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure semiconductor manufacturing is distributed equitably across the UK.
Answered by Paul Scully
The UK is home to significant semiconductor companies across sub-sectors, including in key parts of the supply chain such as wafer production and manufacturing tools. There are currently around 25 semiconductor manufacturing sites in the UK, distributed throughout England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. These capabilities vary in output and complexity.
The UK is also home to the Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult. The Catapult is a very strong example of government, industry and academia working together and it has now initiated over £160 million of projects, working with over 100 companies across the UK developing advanced electronic products. The Catapult has built an impressive record of generating industrial collaborations to commercialise its research, including through compound semiconductor manufacturing. The Catapult will expand its operations in 2023, opening UK facilities to support regional clusters developing satellite communications and future telecom networks.
On Friday 19 May the Government announced its new National Semiconductor Strategy. Through the Strategy we announced an investment of up to £200 million over the years 2023-25 and up to £1 billion in the next decade.
This builds upon significant support for high-tech enterprise including a £500 million per year package of support for R&D intensive businesses through changes to R&D tax credits announced in the Spring Budget and through ‘full expensing’ for companies incurring qualifying expenditure on the provision of new plant and machinery.
In addition, this government has already provided funding for both research and innovation in semiconductor technology. Through Innovate UK, we have distributed £214 million of grants over the last 10 years directly to SMEs in the semiconductor sector.
However, we want to do more to support businesses big and small, and in every part of the sector, to pursue opportunities within the sector that build on our proud history of innovation and strong foundations in this vital technology.
We will announce plans by the autumn to further support the competitiveness of the semiconductor manufacturing sector that is critical to the UK tech ecosystem or the UK’s national security.
Asked by: Bill Esterson (Labour - Sefton Central)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the National Semiconductor Strategy, published 19 May 2023, what discussions she has had with relevant stakeholders on increasing relevant course degree provision and courses to support training for the semiconductor industry.
Answered by Paul Scully
The Government recognises the importance of talent for a thriving technology sector. During the development of the National Semiconductor Strategy, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology engaged extensively with the semiconductor sector. This engagement highlighted access to skills as a barrier to growth in the sector.
Industry have told us that there is a global shortage of talent for semiconductors and that we need to work together to build the right technical skills and qualifications to meet the needs of industry. To meet the growing needs of the sector, the approach needs to be holistic across the whole skills pipeline from STEM education, apprenticeships, industry-led learning and attracting talent.
As set out in the recently published UK Science and Technology Framework, the government is committed to building a pipeline into STEM subjects that are core to future careers in the semiconductor sector - physics, mathematics, engineering and electronics.
The National Semiconductor Strategy outlines the actions the government is taking specifically in the semiconductor sector including, amongst others:
Providing support for Centres for Doctoral Training through EPSRC. Since 2017, funding from EPSRC and the Science and Technology Facilities Council has also supported over 450 PhD students to begin semiconductor related research. Over the years EPSRC has supported a number of Centres for Doctoral Training. There are currently seven active Centres for Doctoral Training funded that support semiconductor related doctoral research. These Centres for Doctoral Training will produce the next generation of internationally recognised doctoral researchers.
Working to ensure that occupational standards for apprenticeships, higher technical qualifications (HTQs) and T-Levels meet the specific requirements of employers in the semiconductor sector to increase the flow of talented people into the industry.
The Department for Education’s (DfE) Institute of Technology programme which has been backed by £300 million of government capital investment. We are encouraging more employers in the semiconductor industry to engage with Institute of Technology programmes to ensure that the sector’s specialisms are better served through this novel education delivery mechanism.
The Government will continue to engage with industry and academia on skills requirements as we implement the vision laid out in the Strategy, including through the new UK Semiconductor Advisory Panel. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology will continue to work hand in hand with the Department for Education on this important issue.
Asked by: Bill Esterson (Labour - Sefton Central)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the National Semiconductor Strategy, published 19 May 2023, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Education on the skills training needed for the semiconductor industry.
Answered by Paul Scully
The Government recognises the importance of talent for a thriving technology sector. During the development of the National Semiconductor Strategy, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology engaged extensively with the semiconductor sector. This engagement highlighted access to skills as a barrier to growth in the sector.
Industry have told us that there is a global shortage of talent for semiconductors and that we need to work together to build the right technical skills and qualifications to meet the needs of industry. To meet the growing needs of the sector, the approach needs to be holistic across the whole skills pipeline from STEM education, apprenticeships, industry-led learning and attracting talent.
As set out in the recently published UK Science and Technology Framework, the government is committed to building a pipeline into STEM subjects that are core to future careers in the semiconductor sector - physics, mathematics, engineering and electronics.
The National Semiconductor Strategy outlines the actions the government is taking specifically in the semiconductor sector including, amongst others:
Providing support for Centres for Doctoral Training through EPSRC. Since 2017, funding from EPSRC and the Science and Technology Facilities Council has also supported over 450 PhD students to begin semiconductor related research. Over the years EPSRC has supported a number of Centres for Doctoral Training. There are currently seven active Centres for Doctoral Training funded that support semiconductor related doctoral research. These Centres for Doctoral Training will produce the next generation of internationally recognised doctoral researchers.
Working to ensure that occupational standards for apprenticeships, higher technical qualifications (HTQs) and T-Levels meet the specific requirements of employers in the semiconductor sector to increase the flow of talented people into the industry.
The Department for Education’s (DfE) Institute of Technology programme which has been backed by £300 million of government capital investment. We are encouraging more employers in the semiconductor industry to engage with Institute of Technology programmes to ensure that the sector’s specialisms are better served through this novel education delivery mechanism.
The Government will continue to engage with industry and academia on skills requirements as we implement the vision laid out in the Strategy, including through the new UK Semiconductor Advisory Panel. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology will continue to work hand in hand with the Department for Education on this important issue.
Asked by: Bill Esterson (Labour - Sefton Central)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the policy paper entitled National semiconductor strategy, published on 19 May 2023, what estimate the Government has made of the number of graduates that the UK semiconductor industry will need in 2030; and what steps the Government is taking to help ensure that that number is available.
Answered by Paul Scully
The Government recognises the importance of talent for a thriving technology sector. During the development of the National Semiconductor Strategy, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology engaged extensively with the semiconductor sector. This engagement highlighted access to skills as a barrier to growth in the sector.
Industry have told us that there is a global shortage of talent for semiconductors and that we need to work together to build the right technical skills and qualifications to meet the needs of industry. To meet the growing needs of the sector, the approach needs to be holistic across the whole skills pipeline from STEM education, apprenticeships, industry-led learning and attracting talent.
As set out in the recently published UK Science and Technology Framework, the government is committed to building a pipeline into STEM subjects that are core to future careers in the semiconductor sector - physics, mathematics, engineering and electronics.
The National Semiconductor Strategy outlines the actions the government is taking specifically in the semiconductor sector including, amongst others:
Providing support for Centres for Doctoral Training through EPSRC. Since 2017, funding from EPSRC and the Science and Technology Facilities Council has also supported over 450 PhD students to begin semiconductor related research. Over the years EPSRC has supported a number of Centres for Doctoral Training. There are currently seven active Centres for Doctoral Training funded that support semiconductor related doctoral research. These Centres for Doctoral Training will produce the next generation of internationally recognised doctoral researchers.
Working to ensure that occupational standards for apprenticeships, higher technical qualifications (HTQs) and T-Levels meet the specific requirements of employers in the semiconductor sector to increase the flow of talented people into the industry.
The Department for Education’s (DfE) Institute of Technology programme which has been backed by £300 million of government capital investment. We are encouraging more employers in the semiconductor industry to engage with Institute of Technology programmes to ensure that the sector’s specialisms are better served through this novel education delivery mechanism.
The Government will continue to engage with industry and academia on skills requirements as we implement the vision laid out in the Strategy, including through the new UK Semiconductor Advisory Panel. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology will continue to work hand in hand with the Department for Education on this important issue.