Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle has announced that ‘innovators driving future technologies’ — like quantum computers to deliver new life-saving medicines and semiconductors powering the next generation of mobile phones — are being backed by well over £1 billion to set up and scale up their businesses in the UK.
The package will drive the Digital and Technologies Sector Plan within the Government’s modern Industrial Strategy, to ensure the UK is ‘in pole position to make the most of quantum computing’s potential to improve our everyday lives’.
Some £670 million will be dedicated to accelerating the application of this technology, and will see the National Quantum Computing Centre one of the first organisations to receive a 10-year funding settlement, thereby providing long-term certainty to researchers ‘and marking Britain as the place to do business when it comes to cutting-edge tech’.
Mr Kyle said: “By 2035, the UK aims to develop quantum computers capable of outperforming conventional supercomputers, potentially meaning new drugs for incurable diseases or better carbon capture technologies, supporting our missions of building an NHS that is fit for the future and making Britain a green clean energy superpower.
“Britain is full of ambitious risk-takers driven by a desire to innovate and improve people’s everyday lives. It is on us in government to match that boldness by investing in our country’s immense potential and embracing businesses that can drive change and grow our economy.”
“Meanwhile, a new UK Semiconductor Centre, backed by up to £19 million, will serve as a single point of contact for global firms and governments to engage with the UK semiconductor sector, helping our firms to scale-up, form new partnerships and strengthen the UK’s role in global supply chains.”
He concluded: “Among the many other awards will be £35 million to scale up the recently announced Semiconductor Talent Expansion Programme. Included will be new chip design courses for students, bursaries, schools outreach, and a proposed master’s conversion course to help more people move into the sector.”