Activists occupy NUS HQ
Leftwing students have occupied the London headquarters of the National Union of Students in protest at budget cuts. The 30 students, who include members of NUS’s National Executive Committee, took over the building at around 6.30pm last night. They are demanding an inspection of the union's accounts and support for liberation campaigns, which, they claim, are threatened by an economy drive.
Minister confident of avoiding exam chaos
Jack McConnell, Scotland’s education minister, has told the Scottish Parliament that he believes the Scottish Qualifications Authority will have a “successful examination round” in August, despite last year’s fiasco that saw thousands of missing, inaccurate or incomplete results.
Dotcoms guilty of sexism
New internet-based companies are as sexist as the old economy, according to a report published today. Newer firms, run mainly by men, have “neglected” the talents of women and are failing to reshape the world of work, says the Industrial Society.
Troubled college highlights Scottish woes
The auditor general has warned that problems at the troubled Moray College point to wider risks for the Scottish further education sector. Robert Black said the college’s slow progress in tackling managerial and financial problems highlighted weaknesses in colleges’ accountability.
NHS shortages cause four lung deaths daily
Four people die every day in the UK because the NHS lacks specialist units to care for lung disease victims, experts said today. Duncan Geddes, president of the British Thoracic Society, said the government had failed to invest in new technology for lung patients and warned that lives were being put at risk.