UK’s quantum strategy advances with £14 million in funding

In a development at the UK National Quantum Technologies Showcase, Science Minister George Freeman is set to unveil a significant boost for the nation’s burgeoning quantum strategy with over £14 million in funding

This substantial investment aligns with the UK’s vision to become a quantum-enabled economy by 2023.

Revolutionising the future with quantum technologies

The Quantum Showcase serves as a platform to spotlight the latest groundbreaking applications of quantum technology, poised to revolutionise various facets of life in the UK.

Quantum technologies promise to unlock vast economic benefits, enabling the resolution of complex problems deemed insurmountable by conventional high-performance classical computers.

Additionally, these technologies open new frontiers in sensing, timing, imaging, and communications.

National Quantum Technologies Programme: Pioneering innovation

The event, organised by the National Quantum Technologies Programme, commenced in 2014 with government backing of £1 billion and has grown exponentially. Last year’s event featured over 1,000 attendees and drew 67 exhibitors from 34 countries, underscoring its global significance.

Commitment to quantum: UK’s National Quantum strategy

The UK’s National Quantum Strategy, published in March 2023, reinforces its commitment to quantum advancements with an additional £2.5 billion earmarked for quantum technology development over the next decade, accompanied by a goal to attract at least £1 billion in private investment.

Transformative announcements by Minister Freeman

Critical announcements made by Minister George Freeman at the Quantum Showcase include the launch of the UK Quantum Standards Network Pilot, securing a leading role in establishing global quantum standards.

Over £10 million in funding will propel six projects to expedite the development of components and systems for quantum network technologies, revolutionising data distribution, security, and processing.

Furthermore, over £4 million will strengthen collaborative research and development through Canada-UK partnerships to create real-world quantum technologies for commercial use. The National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) will conclude its £30 million competition by providing quantum computing testbeds.

It will partner with IBM to offer cloud access to IBM’s entire fleet of quantum machines. Additionally, a new science and innovation agreement with the Netherlands will deepen cooperation on quantum research and development, commercialisation, investment, and skills.

Transformative potential in computing

Minister George Freeman emphasised the pivotal role of quantum technology in the UK, citing its transformative potential in computing, imaging, sensing, cybersecurity, and more.

He highlighted initiatives to provide cloud quantum computing access, establish quantum standards, and strengthen international collaborations.

In summary, quantum technologies are at the forefront of the UK’s innovation agenda, offering solutions to complex challenges and paving the way for a quantum-enabled future.

The National Quantum Strategy exemplifies the nation’s commitment to this transformative field, fostering economic growth and job creation in alignment with the Prime Minister’s priorities.