Money for nothing

Lancaster University has come up with a nifty solution to its dire financial difficulties - expected liabilities of Pounds 5.8 million, redundancies, discretionary spending blocked, etc, etc. The answer is to inform others how to avoid the same mistakes - and charge for it.

Its independent studies unit now runs a private consultancy service for university and college managers from across the country. Topics include handling university administration, organising quality assessments and financial management.