Seven UK research and innovation projects have received over £400m in government and industry funding. 

The government said the funding is hoped to result in thousands of jobs, new skills and more competitive industries post-COVID-19.  

The projects will receive a share of £186of government investment, backed by a further £230 million from private firms and research institutions. 

The largest investment of £114m will be invested in a group led by the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine in an effort to ensure faster and cheaper healthcare products and solutions to combat human infections are available in the North West 

£44m will be invested in a consortium led by Cardiff University, to group capabilities in South Wales developing technologies in areas such as communications, 5G, innovative vehicles and medical devices.  

£55m is to be invested in a consortium led by the University of Edinburgh to fund research to understand financial behaviours and address financial challenges such as fair access to credit, property ownership and saving. 

A consortium led by the University of Bristol to support new digital formats in film making – such as documentaries and games  in the South West will receive £46m. 

A group led by the National Institute of Agriculture Botany EMR at East Malling will receive £33to increase investment in emerging technologies such as AI, automation and smart-packaging for food production to help improve efficiencies and reduce waste. 

£63m will be invested in a consortium led by Artemis Technologies Ltd to develop zero-emissions technologies in Northern Ireland for the introduction of wind-electric hybrids for maritime vessels, including a new zero emissions water taxi scheme

A final £91m is to be invested in group led by the University of Glasgow to translate new approaches in precision medicine into real-world settings, which will allow doctors to select treatments for patients based on a disease’s genetics 

Business Secretary Alok Sharma said: “Today’s announcement will ensure some of our country’s most promising R&D projects get the investment they need to take off and thrive. 

Working with the private sector our world-class universities, we’re backing new and innovative ideas that will create jobs and boost skills in every part of the UK for years to come.