Talks on uni and ECA merger

A consultation on the merger of Edinburgh University and Edinburgh College of Art has been launched by the Education Secretary.

Plans were submitted earlier this week to the Scottish Government for approval after the governing bodies of both institutions formally approved the merger.

Ministers have begun a 12-week consultation on whether the proposed merger goes ahead.

Education Secretary Michael Russell said: "The institutions themselves have voted overwhelmingly in favour of the merger.

"However, I would like to stress that no decision has been reached by the Scottish Government."