This week Andrew Griffith MP, Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation, admitted during an inquiry session on Wednesday morning with the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee, that there is a worry that the UK may be left behind in harnessing our national resources fast enough to remain a global leader in science and technology.
When asked by committee member Dawn Butler MP what the minister’s worries are in this field, Minister Griffith replied that the UK are right about the opportunity that Quantum technologies can bring, and right about the impact these can have on society, but there is a slight worry that the UK might just be a little too slow, that the UK may be left behind. There are concerns in his department that the UK are just not agile enough, or allocating resources fast enough to remain internationally competitive.
The vision for Quantum
Despite these worries, the Minister laid out the government’s vision for Quantum, and its application:
‘My vision is for the UK; How does the UK compete in a very competitive global world, in particular for skilled labour, technology, and capital, and many other ingredients for the success of a modern economy. The S&T (Science and Technology) framework seeks to answer that. Identifying how to work with others in areas that the UK is prodigiously good at. Including Quantum. Investing political time, taxpayers money, the right skills, and sending signals of leadership to industry so that they know that the UK have their back. That’s the role of the department and ministers.‘
Andrew Griffith, MP
‘The vision is that the UK is one of a handful of world class competitors in this space, building on a really strong science base, Harwell, photonics in Scotland, successfully harness our assets, and turn that in to global scale companies, or global companies choosing to operate here, creating jobs, ladders of opportunities, and parts of global supply chains’.
Andrew Griffith, MP
The Minister attempted to highlight access to funding for Quantum technologies, sensors, and networks, in recognition of the importance of Quantum as one of the five core technologies driving forwards the UK’s S&T framework strategy published last year, sending a strong signal to the sector.
Highlighting that the current Chancellor made the commitment of £2.5 billion worth of investment over this next decade, building on the government’s £1 billion invested in the previous decade, the Minister stated that ‘This government has the highest level of commitment to deliver that £2.5 billion of funding, and what this looks like in a funding review’.
This investment supports the notion of a relatively broad-based, cross-party consensus on the desirability of funding the UK’s world-leading Research and Development industry – which the Minister was right to highlight is set to reach £20 billion a year for the first time this fiscal year.
The Minister remained confident that the government’s recent announcement of increased investment in both Quantum and S&T were helping to reassure industry partners and investors in to the UK that the long-term stability and thus scalability was in place to ensure global competitiveness and a leadership role.
In particular, the UK has taken an instrumental creation in the Group of 13 which the UK helped set-up, of likeminded countries regarding governance structures in Quantum, and recently the first dedicated International Quantum Standards Committee would have a British Secretariat, so we are incredibly well placed to help drive the conversations forwards at the global level.
Going forwards on a domestic level, the Minister declared that there is a focus developing Quantum infrastructure, with a particular focus developing skills and talent working with the Quantum Skills Taskforce.
Final thoughts:
Andrew Griffith MP’s insights highlight the imperative for the UK to accelerate its efforts in Quantum technology. While strides have been made, concerns persist regarding the nation’s agility and resource allocation.
The government’s ambitious vision, coupled with substantial funding commitments, signals a commitment to securing the UK’s position as a global leader. Cross-party consensus and international collaboration will be paramount in addressing challenges and seizing opportunities.
By prioritising Quantum infrastructure and talent development, the UK aims to foster an environment conducive to innovation and sustainable growth in this critical field.
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