Change in student loan accounting could add £10bn to UK budget deficit

Possible decision by ONS would reopen question of funding of students in England

The government faces an extra 10bn being added to its borrowing as the result of a radical shake-up in the accounting for student loans, with experts warning of increased uncertainty over the outlook for university funding.

The Office for National Statistics is due to announce its plans to change provisions for student loans in the UK's national accounts, with any change likely to affect the government's public sector deficit policies and throw open questions about how students in England are funded.

Related: Student loan shake-up puts 12bn hole in public finances

Related: Second parliamentary committee calls for means-tested student grants to be reinstated