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.
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.
Why the Centre for European Reform is wrong about Brexit
The Centre for European Reform published a report ‘What can we know about the cost of Brexit so far?’ on 9 June 2022. It estimated the impact of Brexit on the UK economy as a 5.2% reduction in GDP, a 13.7% fall in investment, and 13.6% fall in trade, compared to a “modelled ‘doppelgänger’ group of countries. This was given major and uncritical coverage in an ITN television news bulletin and in the Economist magazine. Analysis by Policy Exchange argues that the CER’s doppelgänger methodology is fatally flawed and its conclusion of a large hit to the UK’s economic performance is incorrect. In a direct comparison with G7 countries there is no sign that the UK has lagged behind in growth of GDP.
£250,000 Wolfson Economics Prize 2021 seeks hospitals revolution
The 2021 Wolfson Economics Prize, launched today in partnership with Policy Exchange, seeks planning and design ideas that will “radically improve” hospital care in the UK and around the world.
The Prize is evidence of a new focus on the long-term improvement in hospital provision in Britain and globally. The UK Government has already announced £3.7 billion of funding towards new hospitals in England for what it calls the “biggest hospital building programme in a generation”.
Health Accountability
Proposals to strengthen ministerial accountability are long overdue, and will complement the changes underway to consolidate various arm’s length bodies into NHS England, said Robert Ede, Head of Health and Social Care at Policy Exchange, in an article for the Health Service Journal on the significance of this week’s Health and Care White Paper on legislative reform. Read his article re-published on the Policy Exchange website here.
Charging Up
The Energy & Environment Unit at Policy Exchange launched a paper warning that the installation of electric vehicle chargepoints would have to be five times faster during the 2020s to make the petrol and diesel vehicle ban workable. The report was authored by Ed Birkett, Senior Fellow and William Nicolle, Research Fellow at Policy Exchange. The release coincided with the Government’s announcement of £20m additional funding for EV charging infrastructure. Read coverage of the report in The Telegraph, Sky News, Bloomberg and BBC News. Read the report here.
Upcoming Events
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Monday, 4 April, 2022
12:00 - 12:45
A skills-based economy is the foundation for so much – from making our country an economic force to be reckoned with on the global stage, to levelling up regions within the country and making sure people are earning high wages that afford them a better quality of life. Minister for Skills Alex Burghart MP will deliver a speech on the need for a highly skilled nation, setting out his vision to ensure opportunity is spread evenly across the country, with skills that meet the needs of local economies and employers – and how the great work of the further education sector is vital to delivering this.
Venue: Policy Exchange
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Thursday, 31 March, 2022
15:15 - 16:00
Policy Exchange invites you to First India-UK Strategic Futures Forum (IUSFF) Hon Dr. S. Jaishankar Minister of External Affairs of India Rt Hon Elizabeth Truss MP Foreign Secretary chaired by Lord Godson Director, Policy Exchange (more…)
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Wednesday, 30 March, 2022
17:00 - 18:00
Policy Exchange invites you to a panel discussion The Spring Statement: One Week On
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