How the UK is backing quantum
Quantum in the UK
On Monday, the UK Government launched its modern Industrial Strategy, naming quantum as a priority frontier technology in its Digital and Technologies Sector Plan - the first dedicated plan to support the UK sector.
Why is quantum a priority?
Quantum technology, which harnesses the universe’s tiniest particles to build ultra-powerful computers and ultra-sensitive sensors, has the potential to revolutionise our economy and national security.
Quantum computers could significantly enhance our ability to optimise global supply chains, accelerate the discovery of new drugs for our NHS, or develop new fuels for Net Zero. Quantum sensors are already outperforming current technologies, boosting efficiency in medical imaging, gas sensing and satellite-free navigation.
The UK is a global leader in quantum, ranking second worldwide for the number of companies and levels of private investment. Early investment since 2014, through the National Quantum Technologies Programme, has yielded a globally leading ecosystem. We have an opportunity to be one of the first nations globally to benefit from these technologies at scale as home to many leading start-ups and larger companies that are pioneering both their development and rollout.
The next phase of the National Programme will focus on accelerating commercialisation and adoption to improve lives across the country and drive future growth in our economy. By progressing the five National Quantum Missions, which outline the UK’s ambitions in quantum, we will deploy quantum navigation systems, ensure NHS trusts benefit from quantum sensing, and have UK-based quantum computers that significantly outperform supercomputers by 2035. The Missions represent a step change in how government supports the sector and works with industry and academia to deliver ambitious outcomes in the UK.
£670 million for the UK’s national quantum computing mission
The launch of the government’s Digital and Technologies Sector Plan marked the first step in this new phase of the programme, setting out £670 million to accelerate the development and adoption of quantum computing. Of this, over £500 million is set to back the innovators who are advancing the government’s quantum computing mission for the next four years (from 26-27 to 29-30), driving forward developments across the entire quantum computing stack.
This investment means the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) is the first R&D institution to being placed on a 10-year footing. Based at Harwell Campus, the NQCC supports the expanding use of quantum computers and the growth of the UK’s quantum computing ecosystem across various sectors, from healthcare to communications. It houses a wide range of quantum computing platforms open to anyone with a valid use case, fostering collaboration that pushes the boundaries of what’s possible with quantum technology.
Long-term backing will keep the NQCC at the heart of a new wave of quantum computing innovation, playing a key role in delivering the next phase of the National Quantum Technologies Programme, aiming to get quantum technologies out of the lab and onto the marketplace.
As one of the largest and longest-term national commitments to quantum computing anywhere globally, this total £670 million pledge represents a substantial step-up in the support available for quantum computing companies in the UK.
What next?
Confirming the UK’s long-term and ambitious support for quantum technologies and recognising the vital role they will play in future economic growth is a key part of the government’s Industrial Strategy. The missions reflect that in the near future; we will all realise the benefits of this tech in our everyday lives. The UK plans to be at the forefront of driving that innovation.
Later in the year more details will follow on other aspects of the quantum programme – watch this space!
For more information please see;
techUK – Unleashing UK Tech and Innovation
The UK is home to emerging technologies that have the power to revolutionise entire industries. From quantum to semiconductors; from gaming to the New Space Economy, they all have the unique opportunity to help prepare for what comes next.
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