A £6 billion blueprint for boosting British science over the next five years has been unveiled by the Government.

The Science and Innovation Strategy sets out the priority areas for science spending to 2020/21.

A key pledge is the allocation of £3 billion to support the laboratories and infrastructure of UK universities and research institutions.

Another £2.9 billion will be reserved for "grand challenge" projects that are often international in scope.

Also from the grand challenge pot, £20 million will be used to create an "Inspiring Science Capital Fund" to get the public more engaged in science.

Some of the spending commitments were announced by Chancellor George Osborne in his Autumn Statement.

Details of the Science and Innovation Strategy were formally announced yesterday by universities, science and cities minister Greg Clark.

Mr Clark said: "Science and innovation will play an important part in defining the UK's place in the world in the 21st century.

"This strategy builds on the great strengths of British science and enterprise and will make sure the UK is the best place in the world to do science and grow an innovative business.

"We are committing £5.9 billion capital to support UK scientific excellence out to 2021, including investing £3 billion to support world-class researchers and labs in universities and research institutes. This support to our scientific infrastructure means we will equal the best in the world."