Latest UK news

London's research dominance comes under threat
Vice-chancellors from London universities and further education institutions have told London mayor Ken Livingstone that the capital’s position as the leading centre for research and development is under threat. They blamed problems with housing and transport for difficulties in recruiting and retaining staff.

Northern Ireland retains tuition fees
Northern Irish minister for higher and further education Sean Farren has stopped short of axing tuition fees in his student-support proposals for the province. But his prospective £65 million package includes means-tested grants of up to £1,500 for low-income students from next September.

Liverpool honours popular DJ
Broadcaster John Peel was today awarded an honorary degree by the University of Liverpool for his “outstanding contribution to music”. The university said: “It is fitting that, in a university where the study of popular music is important, we should include John Peel as a member of our academic community.”

MPs to vote on stem cell research
MPs vote tomorrow on whether scientists should be allowed to clone human embryos for stem cell research. Mike Dexter, director of the Wellcome Trust, said: “This research promises medical advances that that could help tens of thousands of people. It would be a shame if MPs allow misconceptions and misinformation to dash these hopes.”