Knight has Tories in stitches

Peter Knight, the maverick vice-chancellor of the University of Central England, has invited shadow education secretary Damien Green and his higher education spokesman Tim Boswell to spend a week at his institution after the Conservatives questioned the need for degrees in embroidery. Professor Knight wants them to spend a week on the BA fashion and textiles course to judge for themselves the standards and skills required. He told The THES: "If they ever have to 'spend more time with their families', at least they'll have some marketable skills."