COVID restrictions mean Scottish universities face losses

The National 23 January 2021

Universities in Scotland will be hit by a multi-million pound loss as a result of the decision to delay students’ return to campus until the end of February. It is another financial blow for a sector already reeling from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, writes Nan Spowart for The National.

Student leaders have also warned that students will also lose out financially by having to pay for private accommodation which they no longer need if they cannot return. Those in university halls are expected to claim accommodation rebates.

The university deficit in Scotland is already running at £176.1 million (US$240 million) but that does not take into account the accommodation rebates or costs that universities incurred running the testing programme before Christmas, which was only partially met by the UK government. Universities are now expecting a massive soar in claims for rent refunds after the first minister’s recent announcement that students should remain studying at home until the end of February instead of returning to campus this month.
Full report on The National site

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