The Government has launched a new Life Sciences Sector Plan to grow the economy and boost the NHS.

As part of the Industrial Strategy, the new plan sets out a ten-year mission to harness British science and innovation to deliver long-term economic growth and a stronger, prevention-focused NHS.

The life sciences sector is already worth around £100 to the UK economy and employs around 300,000 people.

The plan is built around three core pillars: enabling world-class R&D; making the UK an outstanding place to start, scale and invest; and driving health innovation and NHS reform.

The Life Sciences Sector Plan will be supported over the lifetime of the Spending Review by government funding of over £2 billion, as well as funding from UKRI and NIHR.

The plan includes six actions kickstart change. The first is unlocking NHS data to find new cures, with up to £600 million of investment to build the world's most advanced health data system.

There is a commitment to speed up clinical trial, cutting red tape so patients can join trials sooner.

Up to £520 million will be available to invest in life sciences manufacturing projects, to create jobs and make more treatments and medical devices in the UK.

Support for MHRA will be boosted with extra investment to make regulation safer and faster.

There will be support for doctors to use new technology, to a new NHS passport to roll out proven tools faster.

The government will also support UK firms to grow, by helping fast-growing companies to raise investment, scale up and stay in the UK.

The new plan was built with input from more than 250 organisations including doctors, scientists, NHS leaders and industry experts.

Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said: "The life sciences sector is one of the crown jewels of the UK economy. It sits at the heart of both our Plan for Change, and our Modern Industrial strategy, as a unique catalyst for both economic prosperity, and better health outcomes for people across the UK.

"Moving in lockstep with industry, academia and our NHS, we will unleash this sector as a force for good and for growth. The suite of measures we’re announcing today will unlock its full potential — attracting global investment, accelerating innovation, and delivering breakthroughs that will make the UK healthier, wealthier, and even more open for business."

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: "This Life Sciences Sector Plan represents a pivotal moment in our mission to rebuild the NHS and shift our healthcare system from one that treats illness to one that prevents it.

"By bringing together the brilliance of British science with the power of our NHS, we’re not just improving healthcare outcomes – we’re building a stronger economy and creating jobs across the country.

"The £2 billion investment will help us make the most of our world-leading health data, speed up access to innovative treatments, and transform the experience of patients. This is how we deliver a health service fit for the future – by embracing innovation that saves lives, cuts waiting times, and makes the NHS sustainable for generations to come."