The investment is part of UK Research and Innovation's record £38bn funding settlement.

Dr Stephen Harden, president of the Royal College of Radiologists, said: ‘Research and innovation play an important part in improving cancer diagnosis and treatment, so we welcome these new Government-backed research programmes.

‘This significant £55m investment in a new medical imaging programme highlights the vital role that medical imaging and the radiologists who interpret these scans will continue to play in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. The plan to develop and manufacture more innovative materials in the UK is another positive step towards ensuring patients can access the most cutting-edge cancer treatments sooner.'

Three new research programmes announced by the Government also include £80m to produce cutting-edge materials, for support of innovations including long-lasting medical implants.