The UK Government has announced a £1 billion quantum funding pledge and Kendall hopes the cash injection will help the country keep hold of quantum startups, engineers and researchers rather than lose them to other nations as she cited the example of the US stealing a march on the competition in the AI race.

The minister said: "I do look at what’s happened on AI. I do think we need to learn the lessons and make sure we give our brilliant scientists, spinouts and startups the ability to stay here and make it happen. And that requires a government that is bold and ambitious and confident in these technologies of the future."

Kendall added: "Too many people feel they have to move to the US in order to get the funding and support they need to grow and scale their company."

The Technology Secretary made the announcement at an event with Chancellor Rachel Reeves at the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) near Oxford.

In a policy driven by science minister Patrick Vallance, the government is providing £1 billion to help companies build large-scale quantum computers for use by scientists, researchers, the public sector and businesses.

A further £1 billion that has already been announced will support companies and researchers as they put quantum computing in action in fields such as finance, pharmaceuticals and energy.

Kendall explained that the UK wants the money, jobs and security provided by building a domestic cutting-edge quantum computer by the beginning of the 2030s.

She said: "I want to be at the front of the grid and leading."