Latest updates
Information Systems and Technology
UK Government-backed cyber security programme alumni raise £47.7m in follow-on investment
Alumni of Innovate UK’s Cyber Security Academic Startup Accelerator Programme (CyberASAP) have secured £47.4 million in post-programme funding over the past nine years. The programme is funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (“DSIT”) and delivered by Innovate UK. The programme, open to all UK universities, bridges the gap between academia and industry, as government-backed research is developed into profitable and fast-growing cyber security companies.
The programme has helped to speed up commercialisation of innovative cyber technologies. So far, CyberASAP has supported academics from over 80 UK universities to move from the research phase into the market, which has resulted in 42 companies being formed, multiple acquisitions being made, and new cyber-security technologies being licensed to industry. The work has focused on global challenges faced in the realms of cyber defence, AI and quantum security, digital education and edtech and workforce development.
Recognising CyberASAP’s success, DSIT has committed £10 million in additional funding to the programme, which will be paid over the next four years.
Read more here.
Defence sector students get £80m in government funding
The Ministry of Defence is making an £80 million investment for students to learn the skills to design cutting-edge fighter jets, drones and cyber security systems. The investment is aimed at developing the requisite skills to ensure the investment of the defence budget with British companies is a success.
Of the sum, £50 million will pay for around 2,400 engineering and computer science places at universities and colleges over the course of six years. Universities and colleges will bid for this funding to create these additional places. The remaining £30 million will be allocated to building new teaching facilities and equipment over the next ten years.
Read more here.
University of Glasgow research project launches free tool to make AI safer and more trustworthy
A tool developed by the Participatory Harm Auditing Workbenches and Methodologies (“PHAWM”) research project is releasing a free open-source workbench tool and framework to assist organisations, policymakers, and the public to make the most of the benefits of AI applications, while helping to identify potential harms and weaknesses. PHAWM launched in May 2024 and received £3.5 million in funding from Responsible AI UK. The project involves over 30 researchers from seven UK universities, in collaboration with 28 partner organisations. Their goal is to assist with the development of trustworthy and safe AI systems.
The PHAWM tool seeks to address the pressing need for rigorous assessments of risks posed by AI, which is caused by the rapid expansion and adoption of AI across a variety of sectors. It is designed to support the aims of regulations, such as the European Union’s AI Act, which seek to balance AI innovation with protections from unintended negative consequences. The tool also actively involves audiences who are usually excluded from the audit process, with a view to produce better outcomes for end-users of the applications.
The PHAWM tool operates on the basis of a four-stage auditing process, by gathering diverse perspectives on an AI application. The audit instigator first provides information about the AI in an accessible and non-technical manner. Next, relevant stakeholders, such as users of the AI system and those who will be affected by the decisions of the application, are invited to participate in the auditing process. Audit participants then share their concerns and lived experience, and the tool and framework will identify potential impacts of the AI system and assess it against the audit criteria. Finally, the audit instigator will gather the data and insights and will consider the concerns and diverse perspectives shared to develop action plans and inform future decisions.
Read more here.
Estate and Environments
Estates and Environment (Scottish Property)
Alumno breaks ground on new 262-bed Glasgow student build
Alumno has commenced construction on its new £23 million student accommodation project in Woodlands, Glasgow. The six-storey development on St George's Road will provide 262 beds in a mix of studio apartments and cluster flats, aiming for a BREEAM Excellent rating and EPC A rating. Both ratings are a core part of the sustainability strategy highlighted when the planning application was submitted and when the project received initial approval. Completion is targeted for the 2027-28 academic year.
Read more here.
Kelvin Properties wins £18.8m loan for Glasgow student scheme
Kelvin Properties have secured a £18.8m loan in order to fund a PBSA scheme on Queen Margaret Drive, in Glasgow’s West End. On completion, the scheme will include 134 studio rooms. Through the use of air source heat pumps in order to eliminate fossil fuels, along with an additional target of 70% carbon reduction, Kelvin Properties aim for an EPC ‘A’ rating. The founder of Kelvin Properties, Stephen McKechnie noted “Securing development finance in the current environment reflects confidence in both the project and the wider Glasgow market.” The project is set to complete in time for the 2027-28 academic year.
Read more here.
Estates and Environment (Planning)
Plans submitted for new student accommodation in Edinburgh
Plans have been submitted by Calder Road Developments Ltd to Edinburgh Council for a new student accommodation development to be in the Gorgie/Dalry area of Edinburgh. The site for the proposed development is currently a ‘gap site’, with residential developments on either side.
The development is intended to provide student accommodation which will be six-storeys in height and will provide 60 bedrooms, including 3 studio rooms and 57 cluster rooms. Edinburgh Council’s planning department will now consider and decide the application which has, to date, received three private objections.
Read more here.
Plans for student accommodation submitted in St Roch’s Presbytery
Padrino Design has submitted a planning application to Glasgow City Council for the Development of St Roch’s Presbytery, a vacant site which formerly housed parish priests, for use as student accommodation. The plans detail 13 student bedrooms, with en-suite facilities, communal kitchen, dining room, gym and a library area.
Read more here.
HR Issues
UCL and students settle dispute over strikes and Covid teaching
UCL has announced it has reached a settlement with current and former students who brought claims over teaching quality during strike action and Covid lockdowns.
More than 5,000 students launched legal claims against UCL after a campaign, started in 2020/21 by master’s student David Hamon, alleged that teaching standards had deteriorated during lockdowns and strikes. Current and former students were invited to join the action through a website, Student Group Claim, which coordinated the claims against the university.
Those involved argued that cancelled classes and the shift to online learning, including disruption caused by industrial action, restricted their access to facilities and resulted in a poorer academic experience. UCL denied these allegations, maintaining that they prioritised students’ wellbeing and “educational achievements”.
Five years after the campaign began, and shortly before the claims were due to be considered in court, the case has now settled. It is unclear how many students were included in the settlement, with the terms of the agreement yet to be revealed.
UCL President and Provost, Michael Spence, acknowledged that Covid was "incredibly difficult for students" but maintained that "every decision [by the University] was made to safeguard health while preserving the highest possible academic standards."
Hamon commented that "the parties are pleased that this dispute has now been resolved by agreement without the need for the trial to go ahead." Solicitors representing the students have committed to "continue to represent tens of thousands of students who were at other universities during Covid" and to turn “attention to claimants who attended other universities during the pandemic".
University begins High Court challenge against £585k free speech fine
The University of Sussex is contesting a record £585,000 fine handed down by the Office for Students (“OfS”) in a High Court battle over its handling of an academic free speech row.
Professor Kathleen Stock resigned from the University in 2021 following protests against her views on sex and gender. Following her resignation, the OfS conducted an investigation into her treatment at the university, finding that the university’s trans and non-binary equality policy placed a “chilling effect” on free speech and could result in censorship on campus. As a result, they imposed a fine of £585,000 on the university.
The University has now challenged this fine at the High Court, arguing that OfS placed too much weight on this policy, which the University maintains was not a “governing document” that could be relied upon in the investigation. The University also alleged that the investigation was biased, claiming that the OfS’s director for freedom of speech had a pre-existing friendship with Professor Stock and that the University was not given the opportunity to meet with the regulator during the inquiry.
The OfS maintains that their investigation was “careful and detailed”, contending that the policy concerned was a “governing document” and that there was nothing more than a “limited professional acquaintance” between Stock and the director for freedom of speech.
The hearing has now concluded, with a written judgment expected at a later date.
Read more here.
Strike action announced at Truro and Penwith College
Students are set to face disruption at Truro and Penwith College, with tutors having announced planned strike action over pay and working conditions, the University and College Union (“UCU”) has confirmed.
The UCU previously staged three days of strikes in January after the College offered a 2% pay rise, which the Union said was only half the increase recommended by the Association of Colleges. A spokesperson for the College expressed “disappointment” at the strike but confirmed it would continue working with the union to resolve the dispute.
UCU general secretary Jo Grady said that members provide “excellent education and training” yet are not afforded “meaningful time” for lesson planning and marking. A union spokesperson commented that while College management claims it cannot offer more than a 2% increase due to financial strain, this effectively amounts to a pay cut in real terms. They added that the College is no longer in deficit and is expected to run a surplus after the Education and Skills Funding Agency upgraded its financial health rating from 'requires improvement' to 'outstanding'.
The College confirmed it has notified staff, students, parents and carers of the upcoming strike action.
Read more here.
Upcoming Consultations
Support for part-time study and disabled students: Survey for the Higher Education and Further Education sector, training providers, third sector and interested organisations – consultation closed on 9 October 2025. Updates are yet to be published.
Consultation for Compulsory Purchase Reform in Scotland to simplify rules to make it easier and simpler to improve land and buildings. The Scottish Government is also exploring whether powers to require disused property to be sold or leased would be helpful – consultation closed on 19 December 2025.
Key Legislative and Regulatory Changes
Royal Assent Received
SUMMARY OF CHANGE
Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2025
The Bill proposes measures will apply to land over 1,000 hectares, prohibiting sales in some cases until Ministers consider the impact on the local community.
WHEN
The Bill received Royal Assent on 16 December 2025.
Pending
SUMMARY OF CHANGE
Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill
The Bill has three key parts. Part 1 confers powers and duties on the SFC in respect of funding and securing the delivery of national training programmes, Scottish apprenticeships, and work-based learning. Part 2 of the Bill looks to amend the governance structure of the SFC, altering the arrangements for re-appointing members of the SFC Board (such as conferring on SFC the power to co-opt two additional members). Part 3 clarifies the process for providing student support to Scottish students studying at private institutions in the UK.
WHEN
The Bill was passed by the Scottish Parliament on 20 January 2026 and is awaiting Royal Assent.
SUMMARY OF CHANGE
Tobacco and Vapes Bill
The Bill prohibits the sale of tobacco to those born on or after 1 January 2009 and allows for product requirements to be imposed in connection with tobacco, vapes, and similar products.
WHEN
The Bill was introduced to the House of Commons on 5 November 2024 and is currently at the Report Stage in the House of Lords.
SUMMARY OF CHANGE
Building Safety Levy (Scotland) Bill
The Bill introduces a new tax, called the Scottish Building Safety Levy, to be charged on construction or conversion of residential property developments, with some exceptions.
WHEN
The Bill is currently at Stage 3 in the Scottish Parliament.
This bulletin is for information purposes only and should not be regarded as legal advice but if you would like further information on any aspect please get in touch with any of the contacts below.
