Universities face funding shortfall caused by Covid and pensions, says IFS

Thinktank report also finds colleges will struggle, with rise in student numbers expected

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Universities in England still grappling with the impact of Covid-19 are facing “significant” financial risks from high drop-out rates and soaring pension costs, according to analysis by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS).

The IFS annual report on education spending says there will be funding shortfalls in colleges and universities, where the pension deficit has increased from £3.6bn in March 2018 to an estimated £21.5bn last August.