Quantum mechanics holds the key to understanding many aspects of the physical world, and for decades scientists and engineers across the globe have been developing technologies able to harness its unique properties for useful applications. Quantum computing – where the classical ‘bit’ of information is replaced by its quantum equivalent – is one of these emerging technologies, and the UK has been leading advances in its development through research that is taking place across the country’s pioneering startups and universities. 

As of last year, more than 20,000 people were employed within the UK quantum computing sector which had attracted £1.4bn in investment since 2016, and this number is expected to continue growing as the technology moves closer to market and is adopted more widely. With investment into the sector remaining strong compared to industry-wide dips, this will increase as more discoveries are made and we can finally harness the power of quantum by achieving practical quantum advantage.

Yet as we get closer to the UK Budget, there are fears across the quantum industry that the investment in the sector announced in the 2023 National Quantum Strategy may not materialise in full, threatening the future of the UK as a world leader in this space. Following the slashing of AI funding, including the £800m investment for the creation of an exascale supercomputer at the University of Edinburgh, we are hoping that the same axe won’t fall on quantum funding. …