Last Update: May 19, 2023, 06:25 AM IST
The new 20-year semiconductor strategy will boost UK strengths and skills in design, R&D and compound semiconductors, while helping domestic chip firms to grow in the UK. (Shutterstock)
The plan will “protect supply chains from disruption and protect technology against national security risks”
The British government on Friday unveiled a new £1 billion semiconductor strategy to invest in infrastructure, research and security as the UK seeks to diversify its chip supply chain.
The UK government’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy said in a statement the plan would “protect supply chains from disruption and keep technology safe from national security risks”.
Investment over the next decade will include up to £200 million ($215 million) between now and 2025.
The department said the new 20-year strategy would “boost UK strengths and skills in design, R&D and compound semiconductors, while helping domestic chip firms to grow across the UK”.
It comes as European carmaker Stellantis warned it could close some UK factories if the British government fails to change post-Brexit trade rules to ease the supply of batteries for electric vehicles , of which semiconductor technology is an important part.
Visiting Tokyo on Thursday, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced more than $22 billion of Japanese investment in Britain but acknowledged carmakers’ concern about post-Brexit trade rules as he negotiates with the European Union Confirmed.
“Semiconductors underpin the devices we use every day and will be critical to advancing the technologies of tomorrow,” Sunak said in the statement.
“Our new strategy focuses our efforts on where our strengths lie in areas such as research and design, so that we can build on our competitive edge on the global stage,” he added.
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – AFP,
