Update: 12:30

Straw son: student support policy is a shambles
Foreign secretary Jack Straw's son today attacked the government's policy on higher education as a "complete shambles". Will Straw, who is president of Oxford University Students' Union, said the education and skills select committee's report into student support, published yesterday, showed that the government had to "get a grip" on student funding. The government plans to unveil its proposals for student support and university funding in a white paper in the autumn. Mr Straw said the select committee's recommendations, which include higher tuition fees and interest rates on student loans, would deter students from poor backgrounds.

Science Year initiative extended until July 2003
Education secretary Estelle Morris today announced that Science Year, the government's initiative to boostyoung people's interest and engagement in science, would be extended. Ms Morris said: "Science Year has been a huge success and has already achieved a great deal, but there is still more that we can do. Extending Science Year until July 2003 will allow us to create a lasting legacy of resources and sustainable projects."