As Keir Starmer jets around the world attending various summits, he’s got plenty of thinking time. He might like to dwell on the fact his government has got off to a sluggish start, how it’s being heavily criticised.
Part of his problem, as he keeps saying, is lack of cash. That’s what is holding him back, it’s why he and his Chancellor Rachel Reeves have had to make unpopular decisions, to try to rebalance the books and raise some much-needed extra revenue.
There are things, though, he could be doing that represent a win-win, do not cost the Earth and could see him lavished with praise – not least from the business community that is feeling especially sore and short-changed after being assured he was on their side, only for Reeves’s recent Budget to suggest the opposite.
One is contained in a new report from the think tank Policy Exchange. Its head of industrial policy and former Financial Times editor, Sir Geoffrey Owen, is making a strong case for Britain claiming a leading spot in semiconductors. Before Starmer dismisses the recommendation as too expensive and drops it in the pile marked ‘wishful thinking’, it does not cost a lot at all, relatively nothing compared with other initiatives and the rewards would be considerable.
Owen makes the point that Britain has fallen behind the rest of the world in the semiconductor race, not only losing out to the US and Asia but even trailing in Europe. In this strategically critical growth market, the UK has no broad, large-scale manufacturer able to go head-to-head with Infineon in Germany, NXP in the Netherlands and the Franco-Italian STMicroelectronics.
Sure, Britain did well with Arm, whose processor is used in mobile phones and other electronic devices, but the country lacks the breadth and capacity developed elsewhere. Specifically, he suggests not focusing on silicon chips, the industry standard, but compound semiconductors. “Devices based on these materials, which include silicon carbide and gallium nitride, are increasingly replacing or supplementing silicon in a range of applications, because of their low power consumption and other advantages – and the UK already has competitive strengths in this part of the industry.”
What’s missing is an open access foundry which could “play the same sort of role for firms that design or make compound semiconductors as silicon-based foundries play in Europe, the US and Asia”. The government should partner with industry to construct such a plant – on a greenfield site, or adjacent to an existing fabrication facility – to rejuvenate the industry and bring Britain quickly up to speed.
The UK is already a player, with a strong global reputation, in university-based semiconductor research and design
The UK is already a player, with a strong global reputation, in university-based semiconductor research and design. It’s turning those prototypes into mass production, which is lacking and sees others step smartly in and forge ahead. “A UK-based foundry would make it more likely that the output of academic research would be commercialised in the UK rather than overseas.”
There are suitable sites aplenty, not least at Plymouth where Plessey manufactures compound semiconductor display technology, or Newport, which has an under-utilised building, known as Fab 10.
The bill, say industry experts, would be £500 million-£800 million ($630 million-$1 billion). That may seem steep for an administration which in its supposedly landmark Budget namechecked a primary school in Hartlepool destined for rebuilding (seriously). But consider: TSMC, the Taiwanese company, will receive up to $6.6 billion from the US government for its planned third fabrication plant in Arizona.
It doesn’t have to come entirely from the public purse. A public-private arrangement, with a consortium of semiconductor firms and private investors financing two thirds of the project, with the rest coming from the state, would work. The funding could be routed through the new National Wealth Fund.
For that amount, the UK would obtain a foundry capable of servicing a wide spectrum of customers from the Ministry of Defence and its suppliers to net-zero manufacturers, including those of electric cars and wind turbines, and current and future communication systems.
This is what ought to make Starmer sit up and take notice. The world number one in semiconductors is Nvidia, with a market cap of $3.64 trillion and 29,600 employees. But in the jargon, Nvidia is ‘fabless’, it does not make them, it contracts out production. Next in the ranking is TSMC, which does, at its own foundries.
TSMC is worth $839 billion and has 73,090 staff. It’s the only foundry firm in the top 12 semiconductor companies – the Dutch NXP ($57 billion, 34,200 people), Germany’s Infineon ($38 billion, 58,600 staff) and the French Italian STMicroelectronics ($23 billion and 51,323) occupy the bottom three places. Those three are all IDMs or integrated device manufacturers, so they plan and produce their semiconductors. There is no one to rival TSMC inside that elite dozen and no one in Europe. A British foundry specialist would be pushing at an open door.
Owens’ report echoes a study last year from the Centre for Policy Studies or CPS. Its author, Gerard B Lyons, said: “The UK has a nascent semiconductor sector, but it is not a major player in traditional silicon chips. And, given the direction of travel, it should not try to become one. The UK does, however, have internationally recognised strengths in other more competitive parts of the sector. These include world-leading chip design companies, such as Arm, and early-stage R&D and basic IP. For the UK, it should be about playing to these existing strengths and having the right policy environment in place so it is well positioned to capitalise on the next generation of semiconductor technology. It is about doubling down and looking forward.”
That’s two of the most influential think tanks, Policy Exchange and CPS. They’re on the right side of politics, so for once Starmer’s natural critics would be applauding. It's a good news story about Britain’s industrial future and economic potential.
Amid all the other requests piling up in his in-tray, this one really is a no-brainer.
SPECS
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10 tips for entry-level job seekers
- Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
- Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
- Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
- Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
- Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
- Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
- Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
The Energy Research Centre
Founded 50 years ago as a nuclear research institute, scientists at the centre believed nuclear would be the “solution for everything”.
Although they still do, they discovered in 1955 that the Netherlands had a lot of natural gas. “We still had the idea that, by 2000, it would all be nuclear,” said Harm Jeeninga, director of business and programme development at the centre.
"In the 1990s, we found out about global warming so we focused on energy savings and tackling the greenhouse gas effect.”
The energy centre’s research focuses on biomass, energy efficiency, the environment, wind and solar, as well as energy engineering and socio-economic research.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs: 2018 GMC Terrain
Price, base / as tested: Dh94,600 / Dh159,700
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Power: 252hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 353Nm @ 2,500rpm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.4L / 100km
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Why seagrass matters
- Carbon sink: Seagrass sequesters carbon up to 35X faster than tropical rainforests
- Marine nursery: Crucial habitat for juvenile fish, crustations, and invertebrates
- Biodiversity: Support species like sea turtles, dugongs, and seabirds
- Coastal protection: Reduce erosion and improve water quality
If you go
Flight connections to Ulaanbaatar are available through a variety of hubs, including Seoul and Beijing, with airlines including Mongolian Airlines and Korean Air. While some nationalities, such as Americans, don’t need a tourist visa for Mongolia, others, including UAE citizens, can obtain a visa on arrival, while others including UK citizens, need to obtain a visa in advance. Contact the Mongolian Embassy in the UAE for more information.
Nomadic Road offers expedition-style trips to Mongolia in January and August, and other destinations during most other months. Its nine-day August 2020 Mongolia trip will cost from $5,250 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, two nights’ hotel accommodation in Ulaanbaatar, vehicle rental, fuel, third party vehicle liability insurance, the services of a guide and support team, accommodation, food and entrance fees; nomadicroad.com
A fully guided three-day, two-night itinerary at Three Camel Lodge costs from $2,420 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, accommodation, meals and excursions including the Yol Valley and Flaming Cliffs. A return internal flight from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad costs $300 per person and the flight takes 90 minutes each way; threecamellodge.com
Basquiat in Abu Dhabi
One of Basquiat’s paintings, the vibrant Cabra (1981–82), now hangs in Louvre Abu Dhabi temporarily, on loan from the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
The latter museum is not open physically, but has assembled a collection and puts together a series of events called Talking Art, such as this discussion, moderated by writer Chaedria LaBouvier.
It's something of a Basquiat season in Abu Dhabi at the moment. Last week, The Radiant Child, a documentary on Basquiat was shown at Manarat Al Saadiyat, and tonight (April 18) the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is throwing the re-creation of a party tonight, of the legendary Canal Zone party thrown in 1979, which epitomised the collaborative scene of the time. It was at Canal Zone that Basquiat met prominent members of the art world and moved from unknown graffiti artist into someone in the spotlight.
“We’ve invited local resident arists, we’ll have spray cans at the ready,” says curator Maisa Al Qassemi of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
Guggenheim Abu Dhabi's Canal Zone Remix is at Manarat Al Saadiyat, Thursday April 18, from 8pm. Free entry to all. Basquiat's Cabra is on view at Louvre Abu Dhabi until October
The biog
Name: Fareed Lafta
Age: 40
From: Baghdad, Iraq
Mission: Promote world peace
Favourite poet: Al Mutanabbi
Role models: His parents
Specs
Engine: 3.0L twin-turbo V6
Gearbox: 10-speed automatic
Power: 405hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 562Nm at 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 11.2L/100km
Price: From Dh292,845 (Reserve); from Dh320,145 (Presidential)
On sale: Now
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
Mica
Director: Ismael Ferroukhi
Stars: Zakaria Inan, Sabrina Ouazani
3 stars
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The specs: 2019 Haval H6
Price, base: Dh69,900
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 197hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 315Nm @ 2,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km
BABYLON
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Libya's Gold
UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves.
The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.
Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Meydan racecard:
6.30pm: Handicap | US$135,000 (Dirt) | 1,400 metres
7.05pm: Handicap | $135,000 (Turf) | 1,200m
7.40pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes | Group 3 | $200,000 (T) | 2,000m
8.15pm: UAE Oaks | Group 3 | $250,000 (D) | 1,900m
8.50pm: Zabeel Mile | Group 2 | $250,000 (T) | 1,600m
9.20pm: Handicap | $135,000 (T) | 1,600m
About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
Scorecard
Scotland 220
K Coetzer 95, J Siddique 3-49, R Mustafa 3-35
UAE 224-3 in 43,5 overs
C Suri 67, B Hameed 63 not out
Family reunited
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was born and raised in Tehran and studied English literature before working as a translator in the relief effort for the Japanese International Co-operation Agency in 2003.
She moved to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies before moving to the World Health Organisation as a communications officer.
She came to the UK in 2007 after securing a scholarship at London Metropolitan University to study a master's in communication management and met her future husband through mutual friends a month later.
The couple were married in August 2009 in Winchester and their daughter was born in June 2014.
She was held in her native country a year later.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
More about Middle East geopolitics
The biog
Born: Kuwait in 1986
Family: She is the youngest of seven siblings
Time in the UAE: 10 years
Hobbies: audiobooks and fitness: she works out every day, enjoying kickboxing and basketball
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus
