A programme worth up to £2 billion of government investment has been announced by the Technology Secretary and the Chancellor, with the aim to ensure the UK stays at the forefront of Quantum computing innovation.
The next step in the UK’s plans for quantum technology will aim to deliver personalised treatments, potential cures for diseases, safeguard national security and deliver high-paid jobs – all a part of the government’s Modern Industrial Strategy.
Liz Kendall, Technology Secretary, said: “It is only by keeping pace with technological progress that we can deliver the high-paid jobs, cutting-edge public services, and innovations which change lives.
“Today’s announcements are an investment in our future – unlocking better health, wealth, and more opportunities for communities across the country.
“This government is ushering in a Quantum leap – making the choice today to back UK scientists, companies, and innovators so we can deliver a future that works for all.”
Quantum is believed to be technology’s next generational leap. While a traditional computer solves problems using a one-by one approach, a quantum system explores thousands of potential answers at once, slashing the time it takes to reach a solution. This will accelerate how we can drive growth and investment, while delivering life-changing breakthroughs in the process. It is estimated that quantum technology has the potential to boost productivity by 7% in the next two decades, creating more than 100,000 jobs in the process.
As of today, the UK is the first country to commit to an advanced procurement strategy to build large-scale quantum computers on its shores by the early 2030s. Joining R&D, manufacturing, software, hardware, and procurement into a single programme, the UK aims to be the world leader in developing and deploying large-scale quantum computers.
The procurement programme ‘ProQure: Scaling UK Quantum Computing’ will launch next week, and companies will be invited to table proposals for the delivery of prototypes for evaluation. Prototypes will then be assessed, with the most promising companies invited to deliver larger-scale machines for use by scientists, researchers, the public sector, and businesses, as part of the UK’s national computing infrastructure.
This aims to accelerate the growth of the UK’s already thriving quantum industry, and to support homegrown companies as they scale and grow, all while building an environment which encourages private backers from around the world to invest into the sector.
James Palles-Dimmock, CEO, Quantum Motion, said: “The UK has led the world in the creation of companies built on quantum technologies. With this procurement programme, the government can now turn that scientific and entrepreneurial leadership into real capability by purchasing the most powerful computers the laws of physics allow us to build. Programmes like this give British companies the confidence to scale, attract investment, and compete globally. Strengthening our ties with Europe while backing homegrown innovation will be critical to ensuring the UK remains at the forefront of the quantum era.”
Alongside the procurement programme, the investment also include over £1 billion over the next 4 years to support companies and researchers so they can put quantum into action by investing at scale in technology development, skills, and facilities. Specifically:
- Over £500 million dedicated to helping quantum companies scale and develop new uses for the technology in areas such as pharmaceuticals, financial services, and energy
- Over £400 million to support breakthroughs in sensing and navigation
- £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
- £13.8 million injected into the UK’s 5 National Quantum Research Hubs delivered by UK Research and Innovation
- Fresh support for the Quantum Software Lab based in Edinburgh, aiming to accelerate discovery of new applications for quantum computers
- £90 million to fund quantum infrastructure and meet the scaling needs of industry, along with £20 million in skills and commercialisation programmes
“The UK has long been at the forefront of turning quantum research into commercial reality. Sustained investment from UK government and industry has transitioned our world‑class science into world‑leading companies,” commented Jonathan Legh-Smith, Executive Director, UKQuantum. “Today’s announcement strengthens our national position, accelerating the scale up of UK quantum firms, driving adoption across our industrial base, and reinforcing the UK as the leading global nation for quantum technologies.”
The UK launched a National Quantum Technologies programme in 2014, which has already been backed by more than £1 billion in public funding to support skills, research, and infrastructure. Several global have announced technical breakthroughs delivered in the UK, as well as new and recent investment commitments including:
- Infleqtion has delivered a 100qubit quantum computer at the National Quantum Computing Centre, marking a step forward in developing large-scale systems for operational capability
- Vescent has selected the UK’s National Physical Laboratory for its next office outside the US
- IonQ have formed a major strategic research partnership with Cambridge University. This will create the IonQ Quantum Innovation Centre, hosting IonQ’s most advanced 256-qubit computer
While the view is mostly positive, it can seem as though the government hasn’t fully thought its plans through. Lisa Matthews, CEO, KETS Quantum Security, commented: “The government’s ambition is a welcome signal of the appetite to position the UK as a global leader in quantum computing, but the current roadmap is dangerously lopsided.
“Quantum computing continues to dominate the discourse and budget, while the security infrastructure needed to withstand the threats it poses is often overlooked. Currently, the allocation for quantum communications is roughly 8% of what’s set aside for the computers themselves. This creates a threatening imbalance, as we’re fuelling a quantum arms race without building the shields we need to protect ourselves.
“We’re at risk of repeating the mistakes made with AI – prioritising new capabilities over defensive guardrails, only to scramble once the fallout begins. If we don’t prioritise quantum-safe communications now, we will inevitably lose sovereign control over our own cryptographic and national security stack.
“The government’s current plan risks the UK being forced to buy security solutions from overseas … A ‘quantum leap’ is only a victory if we land on solid ground. To be a true superpower, the UK must protect its data as fiercely as we develop the machines that challenge it.”
