UK research labs face £160m in cuts despite record science spending, affecting cancer and physics projects

Projects at some of the UK's most prestigious research labs will be scaled back following a review of government spending plans.

Research that could be affected includes the hunt for new cancer treatments, the design of better batteries and the search for what the Universe is really made of.

Funding for research into particle physics at Cern and astronomy projects is also affected, but the deep cuts initially feared have been averted.

The UK Research and Innovation Agency (UKRI) says it has to make savings of more than £160m over the next four years because costs for planned research have spiralled.