GCHQ, the Cheltenham intelligence, security and cyber agency, was one of the government bodies that set up the National Quantum Technologies Programme in 2014. Its main quantum concern is defensive: keeping UK cryptography safe once large quantum computers arrive. Its National Cyber Security Centre, the UK authority on quantum-safe cryptography, has published advice on quantum key distribution since November 2016 and has set post-quantum migration targets, with the highest-priority systems to move by 2031 and all systems by 2035. In a 2019 speech its technology director general also offered GCHQ's real problems and data as a proving ground for new quantum computing devices.
Government Communications Headquarters is a government body based in Cheltenham. It appears as a partner in NQTP.