Spending Review to include £86bn science and tech package

The government has said it will spend £86bn on the science and technology sector by the end of this Parliament, ahead of Wednesday's Spending Review.

The package will help fund research into drug treatments and longer-lasting batteries, and include up to £500m for regions across the UK with local leaders having a say on how it is spent.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves, whose review will outline day-to-day departmental and investment budgets over the next few years, said investing in the sector would create jobs and boost security.

But research backers have warned that the government needs to do more to secure the UK's reputation for science on the world stage.