Latest UK news

Natfhe angered by consultation snub
Lecturers' leaders have attacked vice-chancellors for excluding staff from plans for a higher education ombudsman. Lecturers’ union Natfhe has written to Universities UK complaining that staff are relegated to “an afterthought” in the consultation document.

Universities issue meningitis warning
Students at the universities of Hull and Newcastle are being warned of the dangers of meningitis after two students contracted the disease.

McCartney makes case for poetry
Sir Paul McCartney has agreed to do a poetry reading at the University of East Anglia in exchange for a case of wine. The ex-Beatle will read from Blackbird Singing , a collection of his poetry and lyrics, at a literary festival next month.

Scotland announces art scholarships
Scotland’s first minister, Henry McLeish, has announced 20 Donald Dewar scholarships for the arts, commemorating his predecessor who died a year ago today. School-leavers from underprivileged backgrounds will have a year’s internship with a national arts company before going on to further or higher education.

Training agency to advise on FE
Sean Farren, Northern Ireland’s minister for employment and learning, is giving the province’s training and employment agency board an expanded role, advising his department not only on training but also on further education.