Update 16:00

Mandelson: attempts to widen access 'mere tinkering'
Former minister Peter Mandelson has said the Labour government’s attempts to increase the number of poorer people at university have so far amounted to mere tinkering. In an updated version of his book The Blair Revolution , Mr Mandelson urges the government to do more in its second term to widen access.

Scottish institutions struggle with £6m bill
Universities Scotland has called for the Scottish Executive to help Scotland’s 21 higher education institutions meet the estimated £6 million cost of the rise in employers’ national insurance contributions.

150 jobs to go at Strathclyde
Strathclyde University is planning to axe 150 posts as part of a £5 million cut in staff costs by July 2003, to avoid a £10 million deficit within five years. It will next month unveil a voluntary early retirement scheme that will be open until January.