Recommendation 34

The ongoing effects of the covid-19 pandemic will have financial implications for the foreseeable future,88 with Minister Lochhead, Scottish Government, recognising that there was “more to be done”89 to support universities. The Scottish Funding Council has identified some of the main continuing financial pressures facing Scottish universities: • The fall in stock markets and pressures on the local and global economy leading to significant drops in regular donations and income from endowments. • Commercial income reductions from residence income, catering and sport. • Research activities affected by closures. • Additional costs from IT and support costs to support online teaching, and assessment and feedback, along with contract costs associated with the suspension of work on campus redevelopment programmes.90