In 2024, the United Kingdom has cemented its position as a global leader in quantum computing, with breakthroughs emerging from academic labs in Oxford and Cambridge to private-sector innovators in Edinburgh and Bristol. No longer confined to theory, quantum technology is advancing rapidly in the UK—driving progress in medicine, cybersecurity, finance, and defence, and positioning Britain at the forefront of the next technological revolution.
At the heart of this surge is the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) in Harwell, Oxfordshire. Opened in 2023 and now fully operational, the NQCC has achieved a major milestone: the successful deployment of a 20-qubit superconducting quantum processor designed and built entirely in the UK. Unlike classical computers that use bits (0s or 1s), quantum computers use qubits, which can exist in multiple states simultaneously—enabling them to solve complex problems exponentially faster. The NQCC’s machine, named Quantum One, is already being used by researchers from Imperial College London and AstraZeneca to simulate molecular interactions for drug discovery.
Meanwhile, Oxford Ionics, a spin-out from the University of Oxford, has made headlines with its trapped-ion quantum processor, which boasts record-breaking qubit stability and error rates. In early 2024, the company demonstrated a 99.9% fidelity rate in quantum gate operations—the highest ever recorded in Europe. This level of precision is critical for developing fault-tolerant quantum computers, and Oxford Ionics is now collaborating with the Ministry of Defence to explore secure quantum communications for military applications.
In Scotland, Quantinuum (a merger of Cambridge-based Cambridge Quantum and US-based Honeywell Quantum) operates one of the most powerful quantum systems in Europe from its R&D hub in Edinburgh. Its H2 processor, running on trapped-ion technology, has been used by UK financial institutions like Barclays and Lloyds to model complex risk scenarios and optimise trading strategies—tasks that would take classical supercomputers weeks to complete.
One of the most impactful applications is in climate science. Researchers at the University of Bristol are using quantum algorithms to simulate carbon capture materials at the atomic level, accelerating the development of clean energy solutions. These simulations could shorten R&D timelines from decades to months, offering a critical edge in the UK’s 2050 net-zero mission.
The UK government is heavily invested in this future. Through the National Quantum Strategy, launched in 2023 with a £2.5 billion commitment over 10 years, the country is funding infrastructure, skills development, and public-private partnerships. Innovate UK has already awarded £86 million in grants to 34 quantum startups, including ORCA Computing in London, which is pioneering photonic quantum computing using light particles (photons) for data processing.
