The UK government's recent announcement of a £121 million investment to advance quantum technologies marks another decisive step in Britain's quantum journey. This latest funding aims to tackle fraud, prevent money laundering, and drive economic growth through innovative applications ranging from secure communications to enhanced medical imaging. The commitment underscores how quantum technologies are rapidly moving from theoretical possibilities to practical solutions for pressing public sector challenges.
While many assume quantum technologies are still a decade or more away from practical applications, the reality is far more immediate and exciting for Britain's public sector. As Tom Newby, head of the UK Office for Quantum, recently highlighted at DigiGov Expo, these technologies are not only closer than most realise but are already beginning to demonstrate their transformative potential across multiple government domains.
The UK has positioned itself at the vanguard of this technological revolution, investing over £1 billion since 2014 through a comprehensive national quantum strategy. This strategic approach encompasses regional research hubs, innovation funding, and institutions like the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and the National Quantum Computing Centre, which is set to open its main facility later this year.
But what exactly are these quantum technologies, and why should public sector technology professionals be paying attention now?
At their core, quantum technologies harness the unique properties of subatomic particles that conventional technologies simply cannot replicate. While first-generation quantum science gave us innovations like MRI scanners, the next generation promises exponential performance improvements across multiple domains relevant to public services.
Take healthcare, for instance. Quantum computing offers unprecedented capabilities for drug discovery and personalised medicine, potentially revolutionising treatment approaches across the NHS. Meanwhile, quantum sensing technologies are already enabling more precise medical imaging, with UK companies actively developing solutions that could significantly improve cancer diagnostics.
For those concerned with national security and infrastructure resilience, quantum navigation presents a compelling alternative to our current reliance on vulnerable satellite systems. Consider that satellite outages could cost the UK economy over £1 billion per day. Quantum navigation systems, which map magnetic fields rather than depending on satellite signals, are already being trialled by the US Navy and here in Britain as a more robust alternative.
Environmental protection and achieving Net Zero targets stand to benefit significantly as well. Quantum sensors can detect emissions like methane from oil and gas fields with unprecedented precision, while quantum computing could optimise our energy grid and accelerate the development of energy-efficient materials.
Our transport networks, often operating under severe constraints and legacy systems, represent another area ripe for quantum-powered transformation. The Department for Transport is already exploring how these technologies could optimise rail networks and enhance infrastructure monitoring, potentially saving millions while improving service reliability.
What makes quantum technologies particularly valuable for measurement and standards is their universality and consistency. The evolution of timekeeping exemplifies this progression: from sundials accurate to about 60 seconds, we've now reached quantum-based measurement accurate to one second in 158 million years, with next-generation capabilities approaching one second in the lifetime of the universe.
This precision isn't merely academic, it underpins everything from financial transactions to telecommunications. The National Physical Laboratory, with over 50 years of experience with quantum effects for measurement, has been instrumental in miniaturising quantum effects while maintaining remarkable accuracy.
Of course, for public sector adoption, several critical questions must be addressed: Does the technology work reliably? How does it compare with existing solutions? What are the implementation costs? Are there established supply chains? What standards and regulations apply?
The UK's national strategy wisely recognises standardisation as crucial, implementing pilots that bring together industry, academia, and government bodies. Early involvement in standards development ensures that UK technology becomes the foundation for global approaches, as seen with quantum key distribution systems characterised by metrology organisations and end users.
International collaboration forms another vital component of the UK strategy. Bilateral agreements, like those with the US, foster cooperation between organisations like NPL and NIST (the US equivalent). Work is underway to expand this collaboration to 30-40 countries, focusing on agile approaches to support industry, government, and users alike.
The five national missions set for 2035: encompassing quantum computers built in the UK, advanced networking, quantum sensing in healthcare, navigation systems particularly for aircraft, and infrastructure improvement through quantum sensors—provide a clear roadmap for public sector engagement.
As we navigate the early stages of this quantum revolution, Britain's public sector has a rare opportunity not merely to adopt these technologies but to actively shape them. By connecting with experts, initiating conversations about potential applications, and expressing public sector needs, technology professionals can help ensure these remarkable capabilities address our most pressing challenges.
The quantum future isn't coming, it's already beginning to arrive. For Britain's public services, the question isn't whether to engage, but how quickly we can harness these capabilities to deliver better outcomes for the citizens we serve.