Update: 12:05

Clarke to assess HE timetable over next few days
New education secretary Charles Clarke today acknowledged that higher education was a "potentially controversial" area for the government and stressed he had to read up on the details. Asked whether the timetable for making the higher education announcements was still the same following the change in the top education job, he replied: "We certainly aim to stick to the timetable but I will assess that over the next few days."

ILA was 'accident waiting to happen'
The Individual Learning Accounts scheme, closed amid allegations of fraud, was "an accident waiting to happen," the Tories said today.  A National Audit Office report today showed huge amounts of taxpayers' money were wasted under the programme. Tim Boswell, Tory spokesman for higher education, said: "This report reveals the characteristic inability of the DFES to move from eye-catching press release to good solid implementation."

Glasgow principal resigns
Ian Graham, the principal of John Wheatley College in Glasgow, has resigned unexpectedly. The college board says neither it nor Mr Graham is making further comment at the moment, and there are now likely to be consultations with the Scottish Further Education Funding Council.

Rheumatoid arthritis cure on the horizon
A cure for rheumatoid arthritis is on the horizon following the success of a new drug trial, it was claimed today. The drug, rituximab, acts by suppressing antibody production within the immune system and breaking a key part of the cycle that leads to arthritic inflammation. Jo Edwards, from University College London, presented the findings to an American College of Rheumatology meeting in the United States today.

Building commences on Dundee cardio centre
Work begins today on Dundee University's institute for cardiovascular research, the first of its kind in Scotland, bringing together experts from a range of fields to tackle heart disease. The £1 million first phase of the building will be completed by February.