At least 13 universities are at risk of closure amid a financial black hole in the sector of up to £19billion due to the pandemic, research suggests. These institutions 'may not be viable in the long run' if they are left without financial support, it adds. 'Insolvency of a university could cause significant disruption to students' education, potentially leaving them unable to complete their degrees,' the paper warns. The IFS research concludes: 'For around a dozen universities, insolvency is likely to become a very real prospect without a Government bailout.' Elaine Drayton, an IFS research economist, said 'by far the cheapest option' is a more targeted bailout of £140million to the 13 most vulnerable universities.

Source: Daily Mail July 05, 2020 23:24 UTC