Students at the University of Manchester say they have occupied a fourth building on campus this evening as part of an ongoing 'rent strike'.
It comes after the group 'UoM Rent Strike 2023' occupied three buildings last week. They are calling for university leaders to meet their demands, which include a 30% rent reduction, and to meet the demands of UCU strikers.
Around 150 students have already pledged to withold their rent - collectively worth approximately £200,000 - according to the group. It is understood that a small group of protesters remain in the John Owens building, where the Vice Chancellor is located, but the 'main occupation' has now moved to the Simon building.
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Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, the group said the action will be 'indefinite' until the University meets their demands. As well as a 30% rent cut backdated to October, they are asking for 'no disciplinary action against strikers, a cap on rent for the next three years, and for the university to aim to provide student halls which meet the NUS definition of affordable'.
The group were previously also occupying the Samuel Alexander building and Engineering building.
In a statement, UoM Rent Strike said: "We have now occupied a fourth building, the Simon building, which contains the University's HR department. Action will be indefinite until the University meets our demands, and we will continue to disrupt the activities of UoM senior management."
In a tweet, the group said: "We are now also occupying the Simon Building (!) as the University continue to refuse to acknowledge us. We urge the University to work with students to implement a genuine cost of living support package with a long-term solution to sky-high rents and affordability."
A university spokesman said: “Students remain in the John Owens Building and have left the Samuel Alexander and Engineering building. We are aware of a small number of individuals gaining unauthorised access to the Simon Building overnight. Our primary concern is the health and safety of those people who are currently occupying the buildings.
“We are aware of some doors and entrances being barricaded and locked and are emphasising our concerns for their safety in the event of an emergency incident.
“The normal working of the University is continuing. We continue to monitor the situation carefully.”
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