The UK Government has announced more than £14 million in new funding to fast-track the commercial use of quantum technology across key sectors including healthcare, defence, transport and energy. Officials say the investment will help drive Britain’s next industrial revolution and strengthen its position as a global leader in advanced technology.
The announcement was made on Friday at the National Quantum Technologies Showcase in London and marks a key stage in the country’s National Quantum Technologies Programme. The initiative aims to turn scientific breakthroughs into real-world applications that stimulate economic growth and innovation.
The £14 million package will fund 14 projects through Innovate UK’s Quantum Sensing Mission Primer awards, focused on moving quantum research from laboratories into commercial products. Projects receiving support include the creation of affordable, portable eye scanners for hospitals, quantum sensors that can detect underground structures without excavation, and new diagnostic tools capable of identifying diseases at earlier stages.
Science Minister Lord Vallance said the funding would help strengthen Britain’s leadership in quantum research and its growing commercial ecosystem. “Quantum technologies are changing the world – from ultra-sensitive sensors that help diagnose diseases, to computers capable of performing calculations in seconds that would take decades today,” he said. “The UK already has considerable strengths and a vibrant community of companies leading this exciting new sector.”
In addition to domestic investment, the government announced a series of international collaborations aimed at advancing research and maintaining Britain’s global edge. These include a new agreement with Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology to promote joint research and talent exchange, and a £300,000 commitment to relaunch the Scotland–California quantum and photonics partnership linking Scottish universities with Stanford and Caltech.
A new Quantum Centre for Nuclear Defence and Security will also be established at AWE in collaboration with the University of Strathclyde. The centre will apply quantum computing and sensing to national defence challenges. Meanwhile, seven operational quantum computing testbeds have been deployed at the National Quantum Computing Centre using £30 million from Innovate UK, giving businesses access to testing facilities for new hardware and software.
Britain’s role in global quantum research is expanding rapidly. Later this month, the UK–Singapore quantum satellite SpeQtre is set to launch, testing ultra-secure communication technology in space. The UK is also partnering with Canada on a joint £3.5 million initiative to develop terrestrial and space-based quantum communication systems.
Earlier in the week, the government launched the National Metrology Institute – Quantum (NMI-Q) at the National Physical Laboratory. Acting as a global hub for collaboration among G7 nations and Australia, the UK will co-chair the initiative alongside the United States.
Since the creation of the National Quantum Technologies Programme 11 years ago, the UK has built one of the world’s strongest ecosystems for quantum innovation. Government projections estimate that the field could contribute £11 billion to the economy and create over 100,000 jobs by 2045.
Jonathan Legh-Smith, Executive Director of UKQuantum, said the new funding demonstrates how quickly Britain is progressing from scientific research to practical implementation. “The achievements of the UK’s National Quantum Technologies Programme over the last decade have positioned us as one of the world’s leading quantum nations,” he said. “The translation of innovation into commercial reality is already well underway.”
