FoI request spotlights the UK’s leading universities for building repair and remediation works
The University of Edinburgh is among the top ranking institutions for investment in building repair and remediation, according to a new national study, with an overall score of 59.56.
To investigate the state of building maintenance across UK universities, SFG20, the industry standard for facility management, submitted a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to universities across the country. They received responses from 61 universities, who were asked to provide information on: total costs spent on repair and remediation works in the most recent financial year; completed repair projects; outstanding projects; and total budgets.
Leading UK universities for investment in building upkeep and maintenance
As part of their overall ranking, Edinburgh University invested just over £22 million on building repair and remediation projects, the second highest out of the 61 universities that responded. Similarly, in 2023, the university completed the second highest amount of maintenance projects, totalling just under 47,000.
The ‘gold tier’ saw two other Scottish universities, the Universities of St Andrews and Dundee. These three institutions were all some of the first UK universities to discover RAAC in some of their buildings.
They have, since, had to invest significant time and money into prioritising the removal of RAAC and the maintenance of their student buildings and ensure they are doing so in the most cost-effective way, without compromising on quality and compliance.
Paul Bullard, Product Director at SFG20, on the issue of building maintenance in UK Universities, has said: “Staying significantly under budget on maintenance costs and keeping a low cost per repair request are both strong indicators of a well-structured, proactive maintenance strategy – one that prioritises efficiency and minimises more serious and costly unexpected downtime.
“To attract and retain the best calibre of staff and students, universities must provide outstanding learning environments, supported by high-quality leisure facilities and living conditions.
“Even before Covid, we saw a shift towards improving indoor air quality to enhance student focus and well-being. Now, more than ever, delivering a great experience is critical. Well-maintained facilities not only create inspiring spaces for learning but also play a vital role in university recruitment and retention.”
The full findings can be found here: https://www.sfg20.co.uk/blog/uk-universities-investment
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