Update 13:00

Telecoms tops apprentice wish list
Apprenticeships in the construction and telecommunications industries top the jobs wish list of teenagers aiming to go from school straight into work, figures from the Learning and Skills Council showed today. There was also “strong demand” for training in childcare and social work, data gathered in the wake of the recent advertising campaign for Modern Apprenticeships showed.

Ulster names former mayor as chancellor
Ulster University has installed lawyer Sir Richard Nichols, a former lord mayor of London, as its new chancellor, in succession to Rabbi Julia Neuberger. Sir Richard is a member of the court of City University.

Scots councils mount claim for £50m
Council leaders today called on the Scottish Executive to restore almost £50 million a year of government grants which they claim was “snatched” under local government reorganisation six years ago. Six councils - Argyll and Bute, Dundee, Glasgow, Inverclyde, Midlothian and West Dunbartonshire - submitted research by Arthur Midwinter, a Strathclyde University professor to back their claim.

£6m windfall to improve adult education
Birmingham, Telford and Worcester are among the beneficiaries of a £6 million windfall for adult education from the Learning and Skills Council. Improvements likely to take place include installing CCTV, creches and computer information centres.

Book bargains bid to save Oxford library
Around 10,000 books are to be sold in a bid to preserve Oxford University Student Union’s historic library, which has become overstocked and fallen into disrepair. Thousands of the books are now to be sold off to students at the end of the month for £1 each.