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Tessa Blackstone, higher education minister, yesterday announced ? million over three years to boost voluntary and community work by higher education students and staff.

She said: "Voluntary work helps to develop employment skills among students and it can also help to enhance the quality of life of disadvantaged sections of the community."

The money - half of which comes from the Treasury - will be channelled through the funding council's Higher Education Reach Out to Business and the Community Fund.