Latest UK news

Blunkett tackles adult skills deficit
Education secretary David Blunkett today announced a university-based national research centre as part of a £1.5 billion three-year campaign to tackle Britain’s adult basic skills deficit.

Hard-up students shut down campuses
Students are today holding a nationwide day of action to bring their poverty to the attention of politicians. They aim to shut down many universities in their campaign for grants not fees.

Science body rejects ethics oath
The campaign for an oath to set ethical standards for scientists has suffered a setback after being rejected by the American Association for the Advancement of Science’s standing committee on scientific freedom and responsibility. It concluded that the oath was neither practical nor useful.

Comedian elected Glasgow rector
Greg Hemphill, star of the TV comedy series Chewin’ the Fat , has been elected rector of Glasgow University, beating author Alasdair Gray, rock singer Stuart Murdoch and fellow comedian Karen Dunbar.