Government boosts quantum and chip funding

But CIOs say it's not enough

The UK government has unveiled an investment of £45 million for quantum computers and £27 million for novel semiconductors, as part of its bid to build the UK into a science and technology superpower.

Quantum technologies, operating on the principles of quantum mechanics, offer unprecedented capabilities to tackle complex problems that surpass the capacities of traditional computing systems.

These advancements promise to revolutionise sensing, timing, imaging and communications, paving the way for new innovations.

The government's National Quantum Strategy, unveiled in March 2023, outlined a commitment of £2.5 billion to develop quantum technologies in the UK over the next decade.

The new £45 million funding also aims to catalyse an additional £1 billion of private investment.

However, IT experts questioned what the amount of funding means for the UK's ambition to be a quantum leader - a notoriously expensive space, where each computer can cost millions of pounds to build

Mark Ridley - director of Ridley Industries and former CTO at companies including the Financial Times, Reed.co.uk and Blenheim Chalcot - welcomed the investment in the "groundbreaking" technology.

"But," he added, "we need to keep this in perspective; worldwide funding to quantum computing start-ups was over $1 billion in 2023, increasing about 15% year on year. Microsoft, and other investors, including the UK government's National Security Strategic Investment Fund, invested over $100 million in just one Canadian quantum start-up, Photonic, last November.

"The real verdict on this investment should be taken when we see how much funding - both public and private - it stimulates towards British companies focused on competing with US, European and Asian tech monopolies in 2024."

A tale of two parts

The new funding allocation comprises two parts:

The first portion, totalling £30 million, will be channelled into a competition organised by UK Research and Innovation's (UKRI) Technology Missions Fund and the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC).

The competition will focus on developing and delivering quantum computing testbeds, providing scientists and engineers with controlled environments to manipulate and study qubits, the building blocks of quantum computing.

Seven NQCC testbeds have already been established across the nation, across London, Oxford, Warwick, Exeter and Sheffield.

In addition to the £30 million investment, an additional £15 million will be drawn from the Quantum Catalyst Fund to accelerate the integration of quantum technology into both public and private sectors.

Administered by the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology and delivered by Innovate UK, this fund aims to support projects that showcase the practical applications of quantum technology, with winners receiving funding from the Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) to develop physical prototypes.

Science Minister Andrew Griffith highlighted the transformative impact of quantum technology, citing the development of a quantum-enabled brain scanner as a prime example of its potential to address societal challenges. He reaffirmed the UK's position as a global leader in quantum technology and pledged continued government investment to propel the nation into a new era of technological prowess and economic growth.

Chips get £27 million boost

The government also unveiled new initiatives to support the UK's semiconductor industry.

Coinciding with the one-year anniversary of the launch of the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology, the government is giving a cash injection to two new research hubs in Southampton and Bristol.

The hubs, focused on silicon photonics and compound semiconductors, are poised to elevate research in these critical areas.

Each £11 million site will serve as a catalyst for translating scientific discoveries into tangible business ventures. Equipped with new prototyping technology, they will support promising research and projects, providing researchers with the tools and resources to test complex designs.

They are also intended to play a pivotal role in nurturing early-stage companies, offering training, workshops and industry contacts.

The "Cornerstone" Information and Knowledge Centre in Southampton will leverage the local university's expertise in silicon photonics - an emerging field where light replaces electricity to transmit information, resulting in significantly faster chips than conventional semiconductors.

In addition to the research hubs, the government has allocated £4.8 million to 11 semiconductor skills projects nationwide. These initiatives aim to enhance talent across all educational levels, from schools to universities, addressing gaps in the UK's semiconductor workforce talent and training framework.