Semiconductors in the UK
Geoffrey OwenShould the UK have a strategy for semiconductors? This question has come to the fore in response to a series of events – some specific to the UK, others related to global developments – which have moved semiconductors (often referred to as chips or microchips) higher up the political agenda. These include: the current semiconductor shortage, which has severely affected some industries, especially the car makers; the semiconductor war between the US and China; and moves by Chinese companies to acquire European or American producers as a means of accessing semiconductor technology.
Research Note: ‘The Lady of Heaven’
Dr Paul StottA new research note from the Security and Extremism Team at think-tank Policy Exchange has unearthed evidence of another government ‘anti-extremism’ advisor voicing support for the recent protests over the film Lady of Heaven, which have seen the film pulled from cinemas across the United Kingdom. The government earlier this month sacked Imam Qari Asim, its Islamophobia advisor, over his role in the protests against ‘The Lady of Heaven’.
Thoughts on a Modern Bill of Rights
Richard EkinsThis paper is the text of a response to the Consultation on Human Rights Act Reform. The response addresses the main points relating to design of a modern Bill of Rights, focusing in particular on the rights the Bill would introduce and the mechanisms that it would provide in relation to the application of those rights in domestic law.
Producer Price Inflation shows supply-side reform is urgently needed
This week’s inflation numbers made for grim reading. It is a testament to just how difficult the current inflationary moment is that 9.1% annual CPI is seen as ‘on the lower end of expectations’. Core inflation is still far too high, though it fell slightly from 6.2% to 5.9%.
The Treasury Devil and the scandal that never was
A controversy blew up last week about whether the Government had sought, or should have sought, comprehensive advice about the “legality” of the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill from Sir James Eadie QC (the First Treasury Counsel (Common Law), informally known as the “Treasury devil”). Sam Coates of Sky News had an “exclusive” reporting that Sir James had not been consulted on whether the Government’s plans for the Bill would breach international law. An urgent question in the Commons asked for a statement on requests to Sir James to assess the Government’s proposals. There was speculation, apparently based on unattributed inferences or leaks, about what Sir James’ views on the matter actually were. There was a report that Sir James was “on resignation watch.”
The childcare system is broken: It can be fixed by empowering parents
Few dispute the fact that the UK system of childcare is broken. Although around £5.4 billion on childcare, and £3.8 billion on childcare places, is being spent every year on supporting the sector, it remains financially crippling for parents, inflexible, difficult to navigate and there are insufficient places available for those who could benefit. To give a sense of the scale of the problem, a middle-income household will spend nearly 30% of their after-tax income on childcare but only about 5% of their income on energy after housing costs.
Policy Exchange “very much part of the national debate and clearly influential”: Alan Rusbridger at Prospect Annual Think Tank Awards
Policy Exchange came first in two categories at last night’s prestigious Prospect magazine 20th Annual Think Tank Awards – winning first place for Advocacy, and Health and Science and Medicine think tank of the year.
Ab Rogers Design wins £250,000 Wolfson Economics Prize
The winner of this year’s Wolfson Economics Prize, which has invited proposals to “radically improve” hospitals for patients and staff in the UK and around the world, was announced at a Gala Dinner in Central London last night.
New poll: America believes in Special Relationship more than Britain
Americans believe more strongly that the UK-US alliance is a “Special Relationship” than Britons, according to new polling commissioned by Policy Exchange.
Among 1712 British voters, YouGov found that only 28 per cent believe the US-UK alliance is a “special relationship” with a much bigger group – 52 per cent – saying no, the US-UK alliance is not really a “Special Relationship”.
Upcoming Events
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Monday, 11 July, 2022
18:00 - 19:15
Data saves lives. Yet at least one in ten trusts in the NHS in England operate on ‘paper-based’ systems. This is likely to be inhibiting staff – who can only do their best when they have the right information to provide the best possible care. In this panel event, we will consider the opportunity to modernise IT infrastructure and data architecture across the NHS estate, the potential for this to tackle our big challenges; from the backlog to health inequalities, and considering the opportunities created by the Government’s commitment to build 48 new hospitals by 2030. This event follows the Wolfson Economics Prize 2021, hosted in partnership with Policy Exchange, which invited radical new proposals for hospital planning and design.
Venue: Policy Exchange
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Wednesday, 6 July, 2022
17:30 - 18:45
Policy Exchange invites you to a keynote address The Politics of Levelling Up: Aligning interests across levels of Government and Political Traditions by Jamie Driscoll Mayor of the North Tyne Combined Authority Chaired by David Goodhart Head of Demography, Immigration & Integration (more…)
Venue: Policy Exchange
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Wednesday, 6 July, 2022
13:00 - 14:00
Policy Exchange invites you to a keynote speech by Christopher Luxon MP New Zealand Leader of the Opposition Christopher Luxon MP is the New Zealand Leader of the Opposition and the MP for Botany. He entered Parliament at the 2020 election and was elected Leader of the National Party in November 2021. Prior (more…)
Venue: Policy Exchange
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