Some of the UK’s leading scientific research projects are facing reductions after a review of government spending plans, despite overall science funding reaching record levels.

Research areas potentially affected include the development of new cancer treatments, advanced battery technology, and efforts to better understand the origins and structure of the universe.

Projects involving particle physics at CERN and major astronomy programmes are also expected to face funding pressures, although researchers have avoided the deeper cuts that were initially feared.

The UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) agency said it needs to reduce spending by more than £160 million over the next four years because the cost of planned research programmes has increased significantly.

The cuts come despite the government’s commitment to increasing overall research and development investment. UK R&D spending is expected to reach a record £22.6 billion per year by 2029-30, while UKRI’s funding is projected to rise from around £9 billion to nearly £10 billion during the same period.

However, UKRI chief executive Prof Sir Ian Chapman said the organisation must make difficult decisions because future spending forecasts showed that previously planned research growth could not be maintained.

He said the agency’s focus would be on directing investment toward areas where it can create the greatest impact.

Scientists and researchers are now assessing how the funding changes could affect long-term projects, innovation programmes, and the UK’s position as a global leader in scientific research.