UK Government announces up to £2 billion for quantum technologies
The Government has announced up to £2 billion to support the development and commercialisation of quantum technologies. This includes more than £1 billion over the next four years, as announced by UKRI in December 2025, and a first of its kind procurement programme, ProQure to support scaling quantum computing in the UK. The Government has announced:
Over £500 million dedicated to Quantum computing - helping companies scale and develop new uses for the technology in areas like pharmaceuticals, financial services, and energy.
Over £400 million to support breakthroughs in sensing and navigation and the skills and infrastructure needed to bring these technologies to market.
Dedicated funding of £125 million for Quantum networking and £205 million for Quantum sensing and navigation to ensure the UK is poised to accelerate innovations in medical diagnostics, greenhouse gas monitoring, and ultra-secure communications. This will transform the UK’s ability to diagnose and treat medical conditions like childhood epilepsy and potentially Alzheimer’s in the years to come – transforming outcomes for patients.
An extra £13.8 million injected into the UK’s 5 National Quantum Research Hubs delivered by UK Research and Innovation, with researchers working in healthcare, clean energy, and national security projects among the first to get access to the most powerful technology in the world.
Fresh support for the Quantum Software Lab based in Edinburgh will accelerate the discovery of new applications for Quantum Computers in sectors such as financial services, life sciences, and advanced manufacturing.
An additional £90 million to fund quantum infrastructure and meet the scaling needs of industry along with £20 million in skills and commercialisation programmes.
techUK's response
Today’s announcements reflect sustained government investment in quantum technologies, since the announcement of the National Quantum Technologies Programme in 2014, and signals a clear shift in the UK’s approach to quantum, centred around commercialisation and delivering impact in key sectors. They also demonstrate a commitment from government to support the skills and infrastructure that underpins the development of quantum technologies. techUK has long championed quantum commercialisation as the key to realising the UK’s quantum potential, and welcomes these announcements from the Government.
techUK's report, Quantum commercialisation: Positioning the UK for success, highlights the need for industry and government collaboration in setting the UK’s quantum ambitions, making the UK a desirable place for both UK-based and international quantum businesses. It outlines the role of skills development, international collaboration, and public sector procurement in the commercialisation and adoption of quantum technologies.
The next era of quantum in the UK will rely on government procurement to signal the quantum opportunity to industry and, ultimately, crowd in private investment. The announcement of the ProQure programme is a step in the right direction. techUK is encouraged by the commitment to government procurement and would like to see this translate to lasting advantage for the UK’s quantum sector and its most promising companies.
The UK’s “Quantum Leap”
The UK has long been a leader in quantum innovation. It is home to 11% of the world’s quantum startups and has attracted 12% of global quantum private equity investment. However, strengthening the UK's quantum commercialisation pathways and ensuring long-term advantage will require a strong investment environment capable of supporting deep-tech companies through long development cycles. To learn more about how the UK might better encourage private investment into quantum technology companies, join techUK in London on 14 April for World Quantum Day: The role of investment in scaling the UK’s quantum ecosystem.
Today’s announcements recognise the potential of quantum technologies to impact and transform the UK’s economy. As these technologies move from laboratory to market, continued public and private investment will be essential to building on the UK’s strong foundations and realising the potential of the quantum sector. techUK looks forward to working with Government in supporting the delivery of these announcements.
