Blunkett gives further education £45m boost
Education secretary David Blunkett has announced an extra £45 million to help further education and sixth-form students. An extra £5 million for childcare in further education will bring the total available in 2001-02 to £30 million. Mr Blunkett announced university summer schools for further education students.
Student debt hinders mortgage chance
Graduates are finding it increasingly difficult to get the mortgage they want because of student debt repayments. Leading lenders include annual student loan repayments when calculating how much to lend an applicant.
Government aims to restore faith in science
The government is developing a code of practice for scientific advisory committees in a bid to restore the public’s faith in science. Trade and industry minister Stephen Byers told a meeting of the British Association that public trust would allow the economic and social benefits of scientific developments to be realised.
Highlands and Islands hope for validation
The Scottish Parliament’s enterprise and lifelong learning committee has backed legislation to designate the University of the Highlands and Islands Millennium Institute as a potential higher education institution on April 1.
Shefc funding plan under fire
Universities Scotland has condemned the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council’s “flawed proposals” on teaching funding. Andrew Miller, principal of Stirling University, told MSPs that Shefc had proposed three funding levels for different types of teacher training, although all the students were expected to have the same competences.