UK Quantum Strategy Published
On 15 March the UK National Quantum Strategy was published by the new Department for Science Innovation and Technology.
This strategy sets out the next stage of the UK’s quantum ambitions – underscoring almost a decade of previous activity seen under the National Quantum Technologies Programme. The report sets out a new ten year vision and commitment that sets to make “quantum technologies are an integral part of the UK’s future digital infrastructure and advanced manufacturing base, driving growth and helping to build a thriving and resilient economy and society.”
This also follows the announcement in today’s budget of an additional investment of £2.5bn in quantum alongside the National Quantum Strategy to keep the UK competitive in one of the world’s fastest- moving fields of technology. This new and significant funding underscores the confidence in the UK quantum industry and that UK Government is championing their success
The UK National Quantum Strategy sets out four broad goals that will enable quantum technologies to be developed and then deployed across the country. These are:
- Ensure the UK is home to world-leading quantum science and engineering, growing UK knowledge and skills
- Support business, making the UK the go-to place for quantum businesses and an integral part of the global supply chain, as well as a preferred location for investors and global talent
- Drive the adoption and use of quantum technologies in the UK to deliver benefits for society
- Create a national and international regulatory framework that supports innovation as well as national security and the ethical use of quantum technologies
Under these four goals are priority actions that can be viewed below.
The Strategy is clear that while the US and China dominate the quantum sector, the UK should maintain its top three position. This would secure the UK as the quantum hub of Europe, appealing to international businesses looking to expand outwards. This bold ambition follows announcements from other nations who have recently created their own National Quantum Strategies and pushing ahead with their national goals around this technology.
As part of these four goals, the Quantum Strategy sets out several recommendations covering access to talent, skills development, permissive funding approaches, continued support for the NQCC and more. Many of these recommendations were echoed in techUK’s Quantum Report published last year.
In response to the release of the National Quantum Strategy Sue Daley, Director of Tech and Innovation at techUK said
The commercialisation of quantum technologies will play a key role in the UK’s ambition to be a global science and technology superpower. That is why it’s encouraging to see the National Quantum Strategy incorporate recommendations from techUK’s Quantum Commercialisation report and allocate £2.5 billion in funding for crucial steps including skills, procurement, market development and responsible innovation. With the right collaboration industry and government can turn the UK’s current success in quantum research into a world-leading position in quantum commercialisation.
Key priority areas in full:
- Invest £2.5 billion of government funding in quantum R&D over the ten years from 2024. This will include funding for:
- A future network of research hubs in areas of quantum technologies and science that will ensure the UK is a global centre of excellence for the long term
- Accelerator programmes that will increase the pace of progress towards the development and commercialisation of quantum technologies
- Challenge-led innovation funding, driving collaboration between industry, academia and government and strengthening the growing UK quantum sector
- Training and talent programmes for the postgraduate skills, technical professionals and apprenticeships to deliver the quantum researchers, innovators and practitioners the UK needs
- Collaborative R&D programmes with our international partners
- Investment in infrastructure to support quantum researchers and companies
- Investment in fundamental research o Increased investment in the National Quantum Computing Centre, including in its equipment and procurement of quantum computing capabilities for use by businesses, researchers and the government.
- Increase our investment in quantum technologies from this year, with the following new funding available for:
- Launching a £70 million programme of missions in quantum computing and PNT
- £100 million investment to continue to develop research hubs in quantum computing, communications, sensing, imaging and timing
- £25 million for increased investment in quantum fellowships and doctoral training
- £15 million to boost government procurement of quantum technologies for public use
- £20 million for acceleration activities working with the sector on collaborative R&D in quantum networking
- £20 million additional funding for increased activities through the National Quantum Computing Centre
- Increased international collaborations via the new International Science Partnerships Fund
- Recognising the importance of skilled people, launch new doctoral training centres and fellowships in quantum, a Quantum Skills Taskforce, and develop an industry placement scheme and a quantum apprenticeship programme. This would start with an initial additional investment of £25 million over the next two years, with funding continuing to increase over the next phase of the programme.
- Proactively seek to attract, retain and invest in skilled quantum individuals who want to come to the UK, including delivering a quantum stream of the Global Talent Network.
- Commission an independent review of the quantum sector’s infrastructure requirements.
- Showcase UK quantum companies at home and overseas, launching targeted campaigns to generate business in global supply chains, unlock capital and help our companies to scale.
- Attract and support quantum companies who want to move to the UK from overseas, providing programmes and investment opportunities.
- Establish stronger mechanisms and catalyst funding through a quantum catalyst fund to accelerate government procurement and enable government to act as an intelligent, early customer of quantum technologies, starting with 14 a catalyst pilot of £15 million over the next two years, including for national security purposes.
- Accelerate the work of the National Quantum Computing Centre to support adoption of quantum computing in key sectors of the UK economy, including government, and provide a front door to businesses, researchers and other users to negotiate access to quantum computing resources and explore how they can be used.
- Significantly expand our partnerships with global allies, bilaterally, multilaterally and in wider multilateral fora, including on regulation and standards.
- Undertake a Regulatory Horizons Council Review of the future needs for quantum technologies regulation to enable the sector to innovate and grow.
- Protect key areas of quantum capabilities, including through the use of the National Security Investment Act and export controls, as well as offering guidance and support to the quantum community.
- Establish the Office for Quantum in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) to ensure focus and drive to implement this strategy, and report regularly to the National Science and Technology Council, chaired by the Prime Minister
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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.
