Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether the Government plans to take steps to support semiconductor manufacturers in the West Midlands in the context of the ongoing global semiconductor shortage; and what steps it is taking to encourage investment and innovation in the semiconductor industry in that region.

On behalf of HM Government, DSIT has been reviewing the UK semiconductor sector, and intends to set out more detail in the forthcoming UK Semiconductor Strategy.

The government is exploring how we can further support the UK semiconductor industry, protecting and growing existing UK capabilities - including in areas of existing strength such as semiconductor design, compound chips, and academic research in related fields. As part of this we are looking at how interventions through the semiconductor strategy can support the sector and encourage investment across the whole of the UK, including in the West Midlands.