Other UK News In Brief

BA Call Centre Worker Guilty Of Terror Charges

A former British Airways call centre worker has admitted offering to take part in terrorist training or insurgent operations overseas. Rajib Karim, 31, from Newcastle also pleaded guilty at Woolwich Crown Court to transferring funds for terrorist purposes. Mr Karim however denied pursuing a job at British Airways to collect information on the airline's computer systems. His trial began today at Woolwich Crown Court. The 31-year-old denied making contact with the radical Yemeni preacher Anwar Al-Awlaki. He was arrested at the BA call centre in Newcastle last February.

UCAS Reform Results Positive

Commenting on the UCAS application figures for January 2011, Universities and Science Minister David Willetts said: "In a year of unprecedented demand from applicants, we kept our commitment to fund an extra 10,000 student places, allowing more students than ever before to go to an English university in 2010. A strong demand for places was expected this year so universities will be able to recruit the same number of new students in 2011. Going to university has always been a competitive process and not all who apply are accepted. Despite this we do understand how frustrating it is for young people who wish to go to university and are unable to find a place. We are opening up other routes into a successful career. Our reforms will make part-time university study more accessible and we are also investing in new apprenticeship places, with an additional 75,000 being created by 2014."

IDAB Announce Reappointments

Business Minister Mark Prisk has endorsed the reappointment of Professor Chris Higson and Charles Lochrane to the Industrial Development Advisory Board (IDAB). IDAB provides independent advice to the Government on large investment decisions and public investments in major projects in England. The expertise of IDAB covers industry, banking, accountancy and finance. Nigel Brooksby and Andrew Shilston were also appointed to the Board in May last year. Business Minister Mark Prisk said: “IDAB plays a vital role in helping Government make the right choices on large investment decisions. The knowledge and expertise of Chris Higson and Charles Lochrane are valuable assets to the Board. The Board helps the Government in its bid to promote growth by ensuring that taxpayers’ money is spent in the correct way. The Board has always been clear that successful projects should create jobs that are highly skilled and help to boost deprived local economies. I look forward to working with them and the rest of the Board to make sure that public investments in industrial projects have the best possible impact.”

(BMcN)