The UK Government has announced a ten-year funding commitment for the National Quantum Computing Centre (NCQQ) as part of the landmark Modern Industrial Strategy, which will see British quantum technology receive a £670 million boost. 

Based at the Science and Technology Facility Council’s (STFC) Harwell Campus, the NQCC is the UK’s national hub focused on addressing key engineering challenges in scaling quantum computers and supporting the country’s growing quantum ecosystem.

Jointly run by STFC and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), the funding will allow the 4,000 square metre facility to house twelve quantum computers, open to researchers with a valid use case to foster collaboration and push technological boundaries across the UK’s quantum computing ecosystem.

“This long-term investment reinforces the trust the government places in the facility and its team of experts and collaborative partners and will ensure the country continues to accelerate technical innovation in this ever more important sector,” said Professor Michele Dougherty, STFC executive chair.

With long-term funding now locked in, the government hopes that the NQCC can play a key role in delivering the next phase of the National Quantum Technologies Programme, a £1 billion collaboration between industry, academia and government that aims to turn science into transformative new products and services.

So far, the programme has seen £93 million invested in the NQCC, while £214 million has been invested in Quantum Technology Hubs, and another £40 million has gone to fund Quantum Technology for Fundamental Physics projects. 

The success of the UK’s quantum programme is crucial to the government’s recently revealed Modern Industrial Strategy, with quantum one of six frontier technologies Labour is betting on to boost innovation, safeguard national security and contribute up to 8.4% of GDP within the next decade.

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By 2035, the UK Government plans to develop quantum computers capable of outperforming conventional supercomputers, which could unlock a range of applications, from the discovery of new medicines to new solutions for clean energy.

“Quantum is at an inflection point – on the verge of moving from the lab into everyday lives, with the potential to overhaul what’s possible in pharmaceuticals, clean energy and transport – all of which are integral to achieving our Plan for Change,” said Peter Kyle, technology secretary. 

“We are building on our strengths in quantum with a bumper funding package, and the certainty of long-term funding, which will give businesses and innovators the confidence they need to commit to the deep, bold efforts needed to make quantum’s transformative potential a reality.”