Chris McDonald
Minister of State for Science, Innovation and Investment
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Photo: Laurie Noble, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Active Mission
Quantum Mission 1: Quantum computing
A government goal that by 2035 there will be accessible, UK-based quantum computers able to run one trillion operations.
All five missions, with their official goals, related hubs and projects, are on one page: UK Quantum Mission 1 on the missions page.
Project data last updated 11 October 2026
About this project
Mission 1 is one of five quantum missions set out with the National Quantum Strategy, published in March 2023. It says that by 2035 there will be accessible, UK-based quantum computers capable of running one trillion operations, supporting applications that bring benefits well beyond classical supercomputers across key sectors of the economy.
In June 2025 the government said £670 million would go to quantum computing through the Industrial Strategy, and gave the National Quantum Computing Centre a 10-year funding settlement. techUK reported that more than £500 million of this would be spent over four years from 2026/27. In March 2026 the government announced a package worth up to £2 billion, including £1 billion to procure large-scale quantum computers and over £500 million for quantum computing over four years.
Who leads it
Lead organisation
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Government · London
The government department behind the National Quantum Strategy, its five missions and the £2bn quantum package of March 2026, including ProQure.
Funders
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Government · London
In the news
Quantum Zeitgeist articles naming the lead organisation or partners. They may not be about this project.
Sir Peter Knight, The Physicist Who Helped Build Britain’s Quantum Programme, read on Quantum Zeitgeist
The theorist who taught British quantum physics to cost itself honestly, and who now chairs the board advising on a national quantum strategy worth billions.
Image © Quantum Zeitgeist
The UK Quantum Programme Risks Getting Lost In The Noise Of The DSIT Reshuffle, read on Quantum Zeitgeist
DSIT was abolished on 21 July and the statement announcing it never mentions quantum. The funded delivery bodies are insulated, but the Office for Quantum and its line to the prime minister are not, and that is how a national programme decoheres.
Image © Quantum Zeitgeist
Will The UK’s New Prime Minister Sink The UK’s Quantum Industry?, read on Quantum Zeitgeist
The incoming prime minister has reportedly asked officials to draw up plans to abolish DSIT. Here is how that decision could play out for the UK quantum sector, from quiet climbdown to compound failure.
Image © Quantum Zeitgeist
£10M Network Launched to Coordinate UK Quantum Technology Standards, read on Quantum Zeitgeist
A £10m network launch will coordinate UK quantum technology standards, boosting British trade & leadership.
Image © Quantum Zeitgeist
Sources
- National Quantum Strategy Missions (GOV.UK) (gov.uk)
- UK Government publishes the National Quantum Strategy (UKRI NQTP) (uknqt.ukri.org)
- Tech innovators backed to set up and scale up in Britain through Industrial Strategy (GOV.UK, 23 June 2025) (gov.uk)
- Ambitious quantum computing mission officially funded as part of the Industrial Strategy (techUK) (techuk.org)
- UK's 'Quantum leap' ... up to £2 billion (GOV.UK, 17 March 2026) (gov.uk)
- UK Quantum & Tech Gets £1 Billion Boost (Quantum Zeitgeist) (quantumzeitgeist.com)
- UK Investment In Quantum With £2 billion From UK Government (Quantum Zeitgeist) (quantumzeitgeist.com)
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