Economic benefits quantum computing can bring to Sussex and Greater Brighton

This report focuses on the quantum computing sector in Sussex and Greater Brighton, and its potential contribution to the South East and wider UK economy.

Quantum computing is a rapidly developing field in which Sussex and Greater Brighton are well placed to play a leading role in the UK. The region benefits from academic excellence in the field of quantum, specialist suppliers (notably in ultra‑high vacuum and mu‑metal manufacturing), as well as facilities to support businesses including Innovation Centres at the University of Sussex and in Crawley.

Provided the sector is given appropriate support, we expect that quantum computing in Sussex and Greater Brighton could generate outsized regional and UK-wide economic benefits. Our forecasts suggest that by 2050, the industry could support a gross value added contribution of £1.2 billion–£1.9 billion to the South East region and support between 7,000–11,400 jobs.

Our forecasts suggest that by 2050, the region’s quantum computing sector will support a gross value added contribution of between £2.5 billion–£4.1 billion UK-wide, as its procurement spend and consumer spending impacts spread out across the nation. This economic impact is projected to support between 25,000–40,800 UK jobs.

Quantum technologies have the potential to improve productivity in end user industries; our forecasts suggest that widespread adoption of quantum technologies could lift economy-wide productivity in Sussex and Greater Brighton by around 8% by 2050.

The economic benefits outlined in the report are more likely to be realised if the quantum computing sector in Sussex and Greater Brighton is supported effectively. On a national level there are widespread concerns that a lack of domestic support for strategic technologies means the UK risks becoming an ‘incubator economy’, with innovative British companies shifting their centre gravity away from the UK because of more attractive financing options overseas.

We estimate that if the region’s quantum computing sector does not receive sufficient funding, economic and employment impacts could be reduced by around 40% with losses likely to be higher in the long run.