Latest UK news

Clearing kicks off after A-level bonanza
University clearing began in earnest today after record numbers of pupils learned they had passed their A levels. The pass rate was 89.9 per cent, up 0.7 per cent on last year. The pass rate for girls was 90.7 per cent, again higher than for boys at 88.8 per cent. The pass rate at AS level was 88.5 per cent for girls and 84.3 per cent for boys.

Ucas muddle gives Soas recruitment headache
The School of Oriental and African Studies fears it could fail to meet student recruitment targets after it was left off clearing lists by mistake. Director Colin Bundy said the University and Colleges Admissions Service informed him yesterday afternoon that it had mislaid details that meant Soas would not appear in the national press the following day. Tony Higgins, Ucas chief executive, said the details had been temporarily lost but would appear on the Ucas website and Ceefax.

SNP demands Highers revamp
The Scottish National Party has called for a complete overhaul of the Scottish Qualifications Authority in the wake of the authority's mistaken claim of a 7 per cent rise in the Highers pass rate rather than 1.3 per cent. The SNP wants a review of the Highers system, with proposals for “an appropriate, effective and accountable [examinations] body”.