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British government scientists have found evidence that the disease bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) has infected sheep. The implications for British agriculture are examined in detail.

Luton University, England, has attracted many cynical comments, but its grades for teaching are actually better than those of many old universities. It also has a good record of employment of its graduates. It aims to offer lifelong learning and develop education with clear applications, rather than to encourage abstract research. Oxford University, England, also has an image problem, with many talented young people being deterred from applying because they regard it as too exclusive and traditionalist. It stresses academic excellence, but also recognizes the need to produce employable graduates.

Mixed views are being expressed about the UK government's efforts to attract more potential teachers through a high-profile advertising campaign. Some observers feel that this campaign gives an unrealistic view of teaching, and that only improving teachers' pay and conditions will have a real impact on teacher recruitment. In contrast, the Teacher Training Agency believes that the campaign is realistic and that it will gradually build up a positive image of teaching.

Some students have been accepted for university admission despite low Advanced-level pass grades or even examination failure, with some academics claiming that students who have no formal qualifications can still obtain first class degrees if they are sufficiently motivated. Other academics believe course quality is dependent upon the quality of the participating students. Universities are financially penalised if they fail to attract the required number of applicants. A-levels should be used to ration course availability, say some academics, while others claim higher education opportunities should be available to all.

There is a growing sense of caution about the 19 billion pounds sterling of new investment in schools, colleges and universities promised by UK Secretary of State for Education David Blunkett. Representatives of lecturers fear that there could be little real substance to the government's spending plans, and are pessimistic about the prospects for lecturers' pay rises. The financial situation will remain uncertain until the government releases full details, including the base-line from which the increased funding was calculated, in autumn 1998.

There has been considerable political conflict in the UK over the decision by government ministers to exempt Scottish students at Scottish universities from tuition fees for the fourth year of their courses, while their English, Welsh and Northern Irish counterparts must pay up to 1,000 pounds sterling. This conflict could cause substantial difficulties for higher education budgets from Oct 1998. The National Union of Students believes that students should not be charged different amounts on the basis of where they live, and is now seeking legal advice.

It is becoming increasingly widely recognized in the UK that continuing education is vital if businesses are to be able to maintain and improve employees' skills. Many employees are also seeking more support for education at work. Trade unions can play a vital role in continuing education initiatives such as the University for Industry, and education is now becoming a significant bargaining tool between unions and employers.

Universities and higher education colleges in the UK are already facing shortages of space and resources as student numbers expand rapidly. These problems are likely to get much worse as the government seeks to increase student numbers by a further 500,000. The Association of University Teachers has voted to oppose the government's expansion plans unless additional funding is made available. It remains uncertain how the government's target will be achieved and funded.

A draft discussion paper prepared by a policy commission co-headed by UK Secretary of State for Health Alan Milburn indicates that the Labour party is considering moving away from the principle of all National Health Service treatment bring free of charge. This will attract strong opposition from Labour activists and trade union leaders.

A draft policy paper produced by the UK Labour party indicates that there will be a shift towards the use of private firms and management for the National Health Service. There are hints that the policy of all services being free at the point of use may be reviewed.

Senior managers at the Whittington Hospital in London, England, have been defending staff against accusations that an elderly woman was neglected. They feel that this matter should not have been raised in the House of Commons without initial contact from a constituency MP, as is the normal practice.

There is concern within the UK government that some of the key targets for improving public services will not be met. There are currently hundreds of performance targets, but these are likely to be scaled down in a review headed by the Treasury that will establish a new three-year scheme of public spending.

There is concern within the UK government that performance targets for public services will not be met. A number of ministers are now raising doubts about the system of targets, claiming that targets create expectations that cannot be met.

There is a growing risk of widespread disruption on the UK's rail network as staff at operators including Connex South Eastern, South West Trains and English Welsh and Scottish reject pay offers. The Communications Workers Union is also calling for 24-hour stoppages by postal workers in protest at pay offer of 2%.

Further strike action is planned by railway workers in the UK on Jan 24, 2002, and Jan 25, 2002. The key aspect of the disputes at Arriva Trains Northern and South West Trains is the growing gap in pay between drivers and other employees. This issue is also set to prompt conflict in other parts of the rail network.

UK Prime Minister Tony Blair is visiting India, Bangladesh and Pakistan. He will call on the leaders of India and Pakistan to resume peace talks, but Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has emphasized that he will not present a peace plan.

Peace-keeping troops are unlikely to be ready to take up their duties in Afghanistan until mid-Jan 2002. The make-up of the peace-keeping force remains a matter of considerable controversy.

There is growing controversy surrounding UK Secretary of State for Transport Stephen Byers. Most recently, there have been protest over his department's decision to release the minutes of his meeting in Jul 2001 with Railtrack Chmn John Robinson during Chancellor Gordon Brown's pre-Budget report.

The UK government has issued a White Paper detailing planned changes to the House of Lords. There will be 600 members, with only 20% being directly elected by ordinary people. Most will still be nominated by political parties, although 120 will be selected by an independent commission.

UK Conservative party leader Iain Duncan Smith emphasized in his speech to the party's 2001 conference the need to offer opportunities to ethnic minorities, women and homosexuals. He also emphasized public services, while hardly mentioning European monetary union at all.

UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has stated that it will shortly be time to take military action against Osama bin Laden, the prime suspect in the terrorist attacks in the US. This view is not shared by all backbenchers. Some feel that the priority must be helping the Afghan people, while others fear an escalation of terrorism.

An emergency session of the House of Commons has emphasized the UK government's unity in tracking down the perpetrators of the terrorist attacks in the US. Secretary of State for Defence Geoff Hoon has indicated that the UK is considering what military assistance it can give to the US.

The UK government's reaction to the terrorist attacks in the US is considered. Support for the US has been emphasized, but no comment has been made on possible military responses.

Iain Duncan Smith has been elected as new leader of the UK Conservative party. He gained 61% of votes from ordinary party members, compared with 39% for Kenneth Clarke. He has stated that he will seek the political centre ground.

The decrease in tourism income in central Wales during the summer of 2001 due to the foot and mouth disease crisis is examined in detail. The slaughter of 4,000 sheep across the Beacon Beacons has deterred tourists and hurt the local economy.

There is a very tense atmosphere as the battle for the leadership of the UK Conservative party nears its end. The remaining candidates, Kenneth Clarke, Iain Duncan Smith and Michael Portillo, are putting strong pressure on undecided and undeclared MPs.

The annual accounts of the UK royal family show that it costs 35 million pounds sterling to maintain the monarchy. The royal household's expenditure has been cut substantially, but there are still significant costs for travelling and residences.

The UK government must fulfill its commitments to improving public services, according to outgoing Conservative party leader William Hague. He warned that passing legislation on public services is not the same as actually improving these services.

UK Conservative party leader William Hague is coming under strong pressure from other potential leaders. His position will become even more insecure if the party suffers a crushing defeat in the 2001 general election.

During an interview on the Newsnight programme from BBC2, the Tory leader, William Hague, began to show signs of inevitable defeat in the UK 2001 elections. A poll for the Guardian Newspaper indicated that Labour's lead had risen to 19 percentage points.

Pre-election campaigning became a trading ground for insults on both Conservative and Labour leaders. Former Prime Minister, John Major has made a high profile speech accusing the government of hypocrisy.

UK Prime Minister Tony Blair's visit to New College in Swindon, England, is discussed. Lecturers at the college staged a strike against low funding levels shortly before the visit.

An abridged version of the UK Conservative party's manifesto for the 2001 general election is presented. Areas covered include education, economic policy and health.

UK Chancellor Gordon Brown has clashed with his Conservative counterpart Michael Portillo over pensions reform. Brown criticized the Conservatives for allowing people to opt out of national insurance contributions.

UK Conservative party leader William Hague has attacked Prime Minister Tony Blair on the issue of the single European currency. He claims that Blair should admit to planning to abandon the pound.

Mixed views continue to be expressed in the UK about whether an emergency vaccination programme would prevent the further spread of foot-and-mouth disease. A report written five years after the 1967 outbreak of the disease indicates that vaccines would have largely failed to halt its spread.

Tens of millions of animals may die if foot-and-mouth disease is not brought under control, according to Professor David King, the UK government's chief scientific adviser. As much as 50% of the country's livestock could be lost.

Labour MPs are becoming increasingly convinced that the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease should persuade UK Prime Minister Tony Blair to drop plans to hold the general election on May 3, 2001. They feel that there could be a negative reaction among voters unless Blair is able to present a very strong argument for the election going ahead.

UK Prime Minister Tony Blair should not call a general election until the foot-and-mouth outbreak is brought under control, according to Conservative party leader William Hague.

UK Minister of Agriculture Nick Brown has been forced to apologize for issuing a misleading statement about plans to slaughter animals in order to eliminate foot-and-mouth disease. He has emphasized that cattle will be killed only of they show symptoms of foot-and-mouth.

The UK government's plans for a mass slaughter of healthy animals to bring foot-and-mouth disease under control have attracted strong criticism from farmers and vets. The government has emphasized that it will offer a support package to farmers.

The reactions of UK Conservative party leader William Hague and Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy to Chancellor Gordon Brown's 2001 Budget are discussed. Hague accused the government of using tax cuts to attract support in the run-up to a general election.

All parts of the food chain must behave responsibly while the livestock trade is reestablished following the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, according to UK Agriculture Minister Nick Brown. Supermarkets emphasize that they have ordered suppliers not to cut prices to producers.

UK Minister of Agriculture Nick Brown has published emergency plans to help farmers affected by the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. Controls on the movement of livestock are set to be eased, but meat shortages may still persist.

There are now 26 confirmed cases of foot-and-mouth disease in the UK, with more than 100 farms being under restrictions. Some 15,000 animals have already been destroyed in an attempt to prevent further cases.

British potential university students may be allowed more time to select a course, since admission officials at universities are considering an extension of the deadline for applications. Students have to decide by Dec 15 which course they wish to follow from Oct of the following year. The examination system is also to change, with students to take AS-level exams the year before their final A-level exams in school, and universities will be able to take AS-levls into account.

The British GCSE examination is supposedly geared to all children, yet they are taught differently according to whether they are expected to gain an 'A' or 'B' grade, or whether they are considered likely only to achieve a 'D' or 'E' grade. This means that children expected to gain a lower grade will not be taught enought to achieve a higher grade, and this selectivity may demoralize children. There are three divisions in maths, and children expected to gain a high grade may not achieve any grade of they do not achieve a 'C' or above, so teachers may prefer to enter children for lower grades.

United Kingdom students are selecting traditional subjects for their GCSE examinations in 1999 compared with 1998, with number of English literature and separate sciences on the increase. More than 500,000 candidate sat English literature in 1999, a 10,000 increase on 1998, and there was a 2% increase for candidates taking biology, chemistry and physics. Meanwhile, there was a drop in entries for art, home economics and business studies. Greek, economics and Latin were among the subjects attracting few candidates. General science is said to attract more girls, while single science subjects are said to provide a better preparation for the Advanced-level examination.

Industrial action by British university teachers has not halted the admission of new students. There has been confirmation for almost 222,000 students that they have secured places for the 1999-2000 academic year, compared with 219,465 students in Aug 1998. The number of would-be students awaiting a decision has fallen by 4,000, which may be because there are fewer applicants, or because more applications have had earlier offers confirmed.