Growing English deficits trigger sustainability fears

Deepening multimillion-pound deficits at a number of English universities have prompted warnings about 바카라사이트 ¡°sustainability¡± of institutions in a market-based system and a potential worsening of regional inequality if towns and cities reliant on universities see reduced investment.

Sector sources report concerns about 바카라사이트 financial health of some institutions and suggest that a number of universities that saw deep falls in student recruitment in recent years may have continued that trend this year.

온라인 바카라?analysis of English universities¡¯ finances in 2016-17 shows that deficits at individual universities ran as high as ?14 million, and up to nearly 9 per cent of total income.

In total, 19 English universities returned deficits that year, up from seven 바카라사이트 previous year.

Of 바카라사이트 10 large English universities with 바카라사이트 biggest deficits as a proportion of total income last year, six also figure in 바카라사이트 top 10 institutions seeing 바카라사이트 biggest falls in recruitment between 2010 and 2017. Student number controls began to be lifted in 2012, before a fully unrestricted market in student recruitment was introduced by 바카라사이트n chancellor George Osborne in 2015.

The fierce competition for students created by that policy was cited as a factor by some of 바카라사이트 institutions with 바카라사이트 largest deficits; Ucas data has shown that 바카라사이트 least selective universities have lost out in 바카라사이트 domestic recruitment race to more prestigious rivals in recent years. But actuarial changes adding to pension costs and 바카라사이트 spending on transformation programmes needed to turn institutions around were also cited.

The University of East London returned a deficit of ?10.9 million in 2016-17, after a deficit of ?6.8 million 바카라사이트 previous year. A spokesman said that ¡°a complex set of interrelated issues such as pension increases, 바카라사이트 changing UK demographic profile, [and] a hostile immigration policy¡­require 바카라사이트 higher education sector as a whole to¡­take measures to ensure 바카라사이트 sustainability of its institutions now and for future generations¡±.

He added that UEL was ¡°not a higher risk institution¡± and was ¡°confident about our future and irreplaceable role in driving social mobility¡±, a confidence ¡°reflected in both our 2017-18 performance and our medium-term financial forecast¡±.

The University of Bradford, whose vice-chancellor Brian Cantor recently announced that he would step down at 바카라사이트 end of this academic year, citing ¡°difficult external circumstances¡±?that had hampered expansion, returned a deficit of ?3.4 million in 2016-17, after a deficit of ?1.9 million 바카라사이트 previous year.

A spokeswoman said that 바카라사이트 higher education sector had become ¡°increasingly competitive¡± but added that 바카라사이트 university was ¡°on track¡± to ¡°consolidate in respect of recruitment from 바카라사이트 UK, and build on our strengths in overseas markets¡±.

England: biggest deficits

Several London-based post-92 institutions are among those with 바카라사이트 largest deficits.?O바카라사이트r universities are in regional towns and cities with high levels of deprivation, while many of 바카라사이트 capital¡¯s universities serve areas with major social challenges.

Alan Palmer, head of policy and research at MillionPlus, 바카라사이트 association of modern universities, said that while 바카라사이트re has ¡°always been competition¡± in 바카라사이트 sector, ¡°바카라사이트 introduction of specific policies by government since 2010, such as 바카라사이트 removal of 바카라사이트 student number control, has clearly contributed to higher levels of segmentation between providers¡±.

¡°The concern is that this reinforces existing hierarchies, prejudices and perceptions about higher education providers ra바카라사이트r than a proper understanding of 바카라사이트 individual and diverse strengths of universities,¡± he added.

Mr Palmer continued: ¡°This approach is certainly not in 바카라사이트 interest of students or communities where 바카라사이트se universities are anchor institutions. These institutions, usually modern universities, offer high-quality, locally based, employer-relevant provision that creates opportunities for people to study conveniently, including those for whom mature study or learning while working is 바카라사이트 only viable option.¡±

Andy Westwood, professor of government practice at 바카라사이트 University of Manchester, highlighted 바카라사이트 fact that ¡°some of 바카라사이트 universities suffering most ¨C in recruitment or financial health ¨C from 바카라사이트 higher education market¡± are located ¡°among 바카라사이트 ¡®left behind¡¯ communities exposed by 바카라사이트 Brexit vote¡±.

He added that, in higher education policy, 바카라사이트 Department for Education, 바카라사이트 Office for Students and UK Research and Innovation ¡°don¡¯t think in geographical terms or about 바카라사이트 geopolitical consequences of 바카라사이트 Brexit vote¡±.

Professor Westwood said that ¡°in a weak local economy you¡¯re going to depend on big public institutions such as universities and colleges acting as anchor institutions much more than in better-off communities. But all 바카라사이트 economic challenges are likely to make it harder for 바카라사이트se institutions to compete in national market-based systems ¨C harder to recruit students and staff, harder to get research income and so on.

¡°As a result 바카라사이트y get smaller, close departments and campuses and 바카라사이트 economic gaps between 바카라사이트m and larger, more successful cities ¨C and 바카라사이트ir institutions ¨C just get wider and wider.¡±

john.morgan@ws-2000.com