Photonics Enabling Productivity Throughout the UK

The Hidden Economy

UK Photonics

UK Photonics

A £18.5bn industry employing over 84,800 people in the UK with nationally leading productivity and global industrial and societal impact

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UK Photonics and Quantum Directory

UK Photonics and Quantum Directory

A fully searchable directory of all companies, research organisations and universities engaged in Photonics and Quantum in the UK

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Vision for UK Photonics in 2035

Vision for UK Photonics in 2035

The future size and impact of photonics across the economy

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Dr Lewis Hill photo

Dr Lewis Hill to join Photonics Leadership Group as General Manager as the UK photonics sector enters a pivotal moment of opportunity

By news, Press releases

Photonics has long been one of the UK’s scientific strengths. Today, it is rapidly becoming one of its strategic assets. Contributing more than £18.5 billion annually to the UK economy, photonics underpins many of the technologies shaping the country’s future prosperity – from artificial intelligence and quantum technologies to advanced manufacturing, healthcare, defence, and next-generation…

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UK EU collaboration flag

Consultation on the future of the European Chips JU

By news

The European Commission have opened a consultation on the future of Joint Undertakings including the Chips JU to shape the framework fro Joint Undertaking under Horizon Europe 2028-2034. This is of significant importance for photonics as the Commission’s current plans are to expand the EU Chip ACT 2 to include photonics. Therefore much of the…

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Welcoming the Technopolis report on the EU’s critical digital capacities deployment beyond 2027 and focus on photonics

By news

The publication of the Technopolis-led report, Study on the EU’s critical digital capacities deployment beyond 2027, is a welcome contribution to the importance of investment in next generation of digital technology, including photonics. Commissioned by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology, the study looks beyond the current EU Framework programme to…

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New European Photonics Roadmap

By news, Press releases

Photonics21 presented the latest European Photonics Roadmap, the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) Light Driving the Future, to the European commission at the Photonics21 annual meeting on the 9 June 2026. Light Driving the Future is the sector’s most significant strategic update since Horizon Europe began and set out a vision for teh next…

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National Roadmap for Photonics_image

National Roadmap for Photonics – Expression of Interest to participate

By Consultations / open drafts

To Express your Interest in participating in developing the National Photonics Roadmap, please complete the on-line expression of interest. Invitations to participate in the in-person workshop will be drawn from those completing the EoI, subject to constraints of the venue, balance of contributions and discretion of our government partners.  Following the Council for Science and Technology…

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Council for Science and Technology highlights UK photonics

By news

The UK government’s Council for Science and Technology (CST), which provides independent advice to the Prime Minister on science and technology policy issues across government, has  highlighted the vital role of photonics in keeping the whole economy competitive. Photonics: Capturing the Opportunities for Growth and Global Leadership emphasises the growth opportunity, strong UK Leadership in…

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Westminster Palace

Open consultation on reducing industrial energy costs

By Consultations / open drafts

UK Government has opened a new rapid consultation on reducing electricity costs for energy intensive industries:- British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme: consultation on scheme eligibility and approach – GOV.UK – 24 November 2025. The proposed British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS) is aimed at reducing the high electricity prices experience by energy intensive UK manufacturers. Qualification will…

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Innovate UK: The Future Tech Deep Dive Series- Photonics

By Consultations / open drafts

Innovate UK are are including photonics in their next Future Tech Deep Dive series. The objective of this event series is to look into the future and scan the horizon for long-term innovations of significant potential impact with key technology areas. The series aims to bring together thought-provoking experts from business, science, academia responsible for…

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TechUK Photonic Sprint

By news

TechUK have launched a five month Photonics Sprint to identify key Photonics applications, showcase bestpractice, and explore how the UK can lead on the development and deployment of Photonics technologies. The sprint will conclude with a report(launching Q1/2 2026) which will summarise the campaign’s findings, feature member & stakeholder case studies, and set out policyrecommendations…

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Who are the Photonics Leadership Group?

The PLG is a voluntary collective of photonics industry and academic leaders nudging policy, strategy, industry and research in mutually beneficial directions

About the Photonics Leadership Group?