Announcement of Quantum Missions in the Autumn Statement pushes the UK towards real-world deployment of quantum technologies
The Autumn Statement has announced the long-awaited Quantum Missions that consist of five ambitious long-term outcomes that will galvanise the quantum community to accelerate the development and application of these technologies.
Pillar 4 of the UK Innovation Strategy recognises the role government can play in driving growth and supporting priority areas of the innovation system through a missions approach. Mission-oriented innovation – which comes in various forms – sets out to harness innovation through tackling major challenges faced by the UK and the world, catalysing growth and capability in priority technologies.
Following this, the quantum missions start with the technology and focus on achieving specific, ambitious outcomes that will have wide-ranging spillover benefits. The five missions are:
- By 2035, there will be accessible, UK-based quantum computers capable of running 1 trillion operations and supporting applications that provide benefits well in excess of classical supercomputers across key sectors of the economy.
- By 2035, the UK will have deployed the world’s most advanced quantum network at scale, pioneering the future quantum internet.
- By 2030, every NHS Trust will benefit from quantum sensing-enabled solutions, helping those with chronic illness live healthier, longer lives through early diagnosis and treatment.
- By 2030, quantum navigation systems, including clocks, will be deployed on aircraft, providing next-generation accuracy for resilience that is independent of satellite signals.
- By 2030, mobile, networked quantum sensors will have unlocked new situational awareness capabilities, exploited across critical infrastructure in the transport, telecoms, energy, and defence sectors
You can read more about the specific missions here
This is a crucial milestone in the delivery of the National Quantum Strategy and techUK welcome the announcement of these missions. techUK has previously called for the development of missions though our Quantum Commercialisation Programme, including in our response to the Science and Technology Committee Call for Evidence on Quantum Technologies. This document is available for members and if you would like to see our response please reach out directly.
We also specifically welcome the integration of classical and quantum compute on the first mission, which was a key pillar of techUK's Quantum Report
techUK will continue to work with the Office for Quantum on the delivery of these missions to help define the mission programmes. This will include core activities and milestones that are necessary to unlock investment, advance the science, develop and demonstrate these technologies in the real world, and grow a thriving quantum industry in the UK to meet each outcome.
Rory Daniels
Rory joined techUK in June 2023 after three years in the Civil Service on its Fast Stream leadership development programme.
Laura Foster
Laura is techUK’s Associate Director for Technology and Innovation.
Elis Thomas
Elis joined techUK in December 2023 as a Programme Manager for Tech and Innovation, focusing on AI, Semiconductors and Digital ID.
