Universities Ranked on Repair Efficiency Amid Growing Facilities Challenges

Maintenance Crisis in UK Universities: Why Long-Term Investment Is Key to the Future

The maintenance backlog for the UK's Department for Education reached a staggering £13.8 billion in the fiscal year 2023-24, highlighting the urgent need for cost-efficient approaches to repair and remediation work on educational buildings. This situation has been further complicated by the identification of RAAC (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete) in several institutions, emphasising the critical importance of addressing these structural challenges swiftly and effectively.

In response to this growing concern, SFG20 submitted a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to UK universities between December 2024 and February 2025 to assess their building maintenance practices. Out of 105 universities contacted, 61 responded, offering valuable data on repair costs, completed projects, outstanding tasks, and total budgets. This data revealed that in 2023 alone, 904,000 maintenance projects were logged, with 76,527 tasks still pending by January 2024. These figures underscore the immense workload required to ensure safe university facilities.

Using the gathered information, universities were ranked based on their investment in repair and remediation work. Notably, the University of Oxford emerged as the top institution, with an investment score of 75.41. It achieved one of the highest repair project completion rates, finishing nearly 40,000 projects while efficiently managing its £26.4 million budget, spending £18.5 million. Similarly, the University of York allocated £12.8 million for repairs and succeeded in remaining £3 million under budget. Bronze-tier institutions, including the London School of Economics (53.28), Arts University Bournemouth (53.01), and The Open University (52.73), showcased varying levels of investment, with Arts University Bournemouth achieving the lowest average spend per maintenance request at £23.

Both the London School of Economics and Edinburgh Napier University demonstrated proactive maintenance strategies by adhering to their budgets and effectively minimising downtime. Paul Bullard, Product Director at SFG20, emphasised that such efficient strategies not only reduce costs but also ensure universities offer excellent learning environments, quality leisure facilities, and living conditions. He further noted that improving indoor air quality had gained attention even before the COVID-19 pandemic due to its positive impact on student focus and overall well-being.

The FOI request revealed crucial insights into universities' repair and remediation strategies. These insights were instrumental in ranking institutions based on various factors, including their completed projects, outstanding tasks, and 2024 repair budgets. The comprehensive comparison highlighted the varying levels of commitment among universities to address maintenance challenges effectively. The findings emphasise the pressing need for strategic investments in building maintenance across UK universities to ensure safe, inspiring, and efficient learning environments.

Editor’s Note:

The Department for Education’s maintenance backlog has reached £13.8 billion, compounded by the discovery of RAAC (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete) in several buildings. This creates a significant challenge for universities in maintaining safe and functional facilities for both students and staff. SFG20’s Freedom of Information (FOI) request has provided valuable data on how universities are addressing these maintenance issues. The responses from 61 universities reveal varying levels of investment and effort, with some, like the University of Oxford, showing strong proactive strategies, while others struggle to meet the demand for repairs.The ranking system used in this report highlights how universities are allocating funds and managing maintenance projects, stressing the importance of long-term sustainability. Paul Bullard from SFG20 noted that the future success of universities depends not only on their academic offerings but also on providing well-maintained environments that support student well-being and success.

Skoobuzz emphasises the need for a nationwide effort to tackle the maintenance backlog and invest in cost-effective repair and remediation solutions.