Optician news in brief

Optometrists, dispensing opticians and optical businesses have just six days, until March 15, to apply for retention with the General Optical Council before a late payment charge of £20 is applicable. As Optician went to press, 71 per cent of registrants had applied for retention, which can be accessed on the MyGOC section on the GOC's website, www.optical.org. Those who fail to apply by March 31 will be removed from GOC registers and will not be allowed to practise in the UK.

A higher scholarship scheme offering funding of up to £2,000 per year has been launched by City University London. The Lord Mayor of London Scholarship Scheme is open to undergraduate students in the UK and Ireland who achieve AAB grades or above at A-level or equivalent, starting from September 2012. The non-means-tested scholarship will be given to students in January of their first year and those who maintain a high level of achievement will continue to be rewarded each year.