Mid Sussex District Council has welcomed the Government's announcement (17th March 2026) of a £2.5bn investment in AI and quantum technologies, aimed at stopping UK tech firms "drifting abroad" and ensuring home grown innovation scales in Britain.
The Sussex and Greater Brighton area is already one of the UK's most advanced quantum clusters. Independent analysis from Oxford Economics, commissioned by Mid Sussex District Council, shows the region has the potential to generate £1.2–£1.9bn GVA locally and £2.5–£4.1bn nationally by 2050, supporting up to 40,800 jobs across the UK.
Cllr Robert Eggleston, Leader of Mid Sussex District Council, said: "This investment is a game changing moment for Mid Sussex and the UK. It sends a clear signal to global investors that Britain intends to lead the quantum revolution.
"Our region already has the talent, supply chain and infrastructure ready to grow this industry—and with Government backing, we can anchor sovereign capability, retain high value businesses and create thousands of skilled jobs for local people."
The independent research identified that the area hosts:
- One of Europe's largest vacuum and mu-metal manufacturing clusters, essential to quantum hardware.
- A world-leading research base at the University of Sussex, including the UK's first four-year quantum technology degree, where students participate in quantum technology research from day one, the UK's first online distance learning quantum technology MSc, and a major EPSRC doctoral training centre.
- Universal Quantum, a Sussex grown company developing practical utility scale quantum computers with over £100m of funding and £65m in customer contracts.
To further support the development of the sector locally, Mid Sussex District Council has:
- Allocated a 48 hectare Science & Technology Park to anchor quantum and advanced technology companies.
- Helped establish the Quantum Sussex Cluster to unify partners, investors and innovators across the region.
- Supported the vision for a Sussex Quantum Silicon Valley, which could unlock billions in private investment and deliver world leading quantum facilities.
Professor Winfried Hensinger, Professor of Quantum Technologies, co-director of the Sussex Centre for Quantum Technologies and Head of the Ion Quantum Technology Group at the University of Sussex, added: "The Chancellor's plan recognises longstanding concerns that innovative UK firms seek capital and support overseas. The £2.5bn commitment aims to reverse that trend, ensuring quantum technologies—expected to generate up to 100,000 jobs—flourish domestically.
"We know Sussex and Greater Brighton is ready to support this growth and look forward to working with the Government to bringing this forward in the Sussex Quantum Silicon Valley."