While You've Got Your Wallet Open, We'll Take a Billion, Too

This article from the Guardian reports that a group of UK research universities has proposed a plan to help secure funding now -- and, with luck, jump-start the economy in the future. "Led by Imperial College London, they want ministers to create a £1bn fund to finance the early stages of university spin-outs - companies that could become money spinners in a few years' time and help boost the UK economy after the recession," the article says. The proposal "seems particularly audacious in a time of tightened public spending. But the government looks to be seriously considering the proposal."