Latest UK news

£2.35m spent on selling new degree
The government today launched a £2.35 million advertising campaign to sell foundation degrees to the public and employers. The multimedia campaign will use the slogan “Fill your skills gap” to encourage people to apply for the 3,913 places available from this autumn for the sub-degree courses that take two years of full-time study.

Sheerman to head select committee
Barry Sheerman MP has been elected chairman of the newly formed education and skills select committee. Mr Sheerman (Labour, Huddersfield) was elected unanimously by members. He was chairman of the education sub-committee of the former education and employment select committee.

Universities to help in poverty project
Reading, South Bank and Sussex universities, as well as the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, are collaborating in a project to examine the lives of thousands of children born into poverty overseas. The “Young Lives” project, funded by the Department for International Development, will send researchers and Save the Children coordinators to Ethiopia, Peru, Vietnam and India.

Stephen Lawrence's mother honoured
Doreen Lawrence, mother of the murdered black teenager Stephen Lawrence, is to receive an honorary degree today from Staffordshire University for her role in promoting education.