Today’s physics news: Monday 5 October 2009

Particle physics and astronomy research

Two articles published over the weekend have heightened concern about the future health of particle physics and astronomy research in the UK.
The Guardian
The Times

Afriyie questioned

An interview in Nature with the shadow science minister, Adam Afriyie, sheds some light on Conservative science policy.
Nature

School science experiments are vital

The Times features comments from John Holman, the Government’s chief adviser on science in schools, bemoaning over-zealous health and safety concerns, saying that it is vital for pupils to learn how to handle hazardous substances and to experiment if young people are to buy into the cause of science.  
The Times

Britain must increase nuclear energy output

On his first day in office, the government’s new chief scientific adviser on climate change, David Mackay, has asserted that Britain must quadruple its nuclear energy generation output, if future energy sums are to add up.
The Times

Conservative uni policy

The Conservatives have unveiled another education policy which seeks to address university funding concerns.  The Tories say they will reward students who pay back their student loans quickly with a 10 per cent saving.
The Independent

Schools heads accuse exam boards of fixing A-level results

In a top-down attempt to suppress runaway grade inflation, the Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference, which represents 250 leading private schools, has said there is “compelling” evidence that some exam boards are deliberately suppressed teenagers’ scores, unfairly undermining students’ attempts of getting into the best universities next year.
The Telegraph