regulator

Speaking exclusively to the BBC, Sir David Behan, the regulator’s chairman, called for radical change, saying course closures and university mergers might be needed for financial stability.

Even so, new analysis by the OfS, the independent regulator of higher education in England, will show a worsening position for universities, the BBC understands.

The regulator had said it expected 40% of universities to be in financial deficit in 2023-24.

The heat is now on universities to bring down costs, with renewed scrutiny from ministers and the regulator over how they spend money.

But the rollout has drawn criticism from the regulator Ofsted, and the government's education select committee, with issues varying from the quality of teaching to the availability of work placements.