Striking Manchester University students win 30% rent reduction but vow to push for more

Thousands of students who went on strike have won a 30% rent reduction - but they are asking for more.

The rent strike began earlier this month amid ongoing protests after Manchester University students' face-to-face classes were halted because of the Covid-19 pandemic and they experienced a series of issues with their accommodation.

Undergraduates occupied the Owens Park Tower building in Fallowfield as part of the protests. 

Students living in the university's halls of residences will get the reduction worth between £600 and £900, the equivalent of more than four weeks' rent, for the first semester, running from September to January.

They occupied Owens Park Tower as part of the strike (PA)

It will be provided irrespective of whether students stay in the halls over the Christmas holiday period, the university said in a statement.

University bosses had last week pledged a reduction of two weeks' rent before Wednesday's announcement that the reduction had been doubled.

The university said talks with the Students' Union and elected student representatives had recognised the limited availability of some facilities due to the pandemic and had "an impact on the student experience", with ongoing uncertainty about campus arrangements in January.

Security was erected overnight around some student accommodation in September (Getty Images)

More talks are planned but the university said it was unable to offer further reductions, with the current agreement supported by 90% of student representatives.

However, organisers of the strike released a statement saying they will push for another rent strike to get a further reduction for the second semester in January.

They added: "The university continues to prioritise profit over students, but this win is evidence that power of solidarity can overcome the violence of greed."

Signs by a halls of residence near Manchester University as the students were put in isolation (PA)

Students were given a 30% rent cut (MEN MEDIA)

Earlier this month the university's vice-chancellor, Dame Nancy Rothwell, had to apologise to student Zach Adan, 19, who was allegedly racially profiled by security guards as he returned to his halls of residence.

An investigation is ongoing.

Protests also erupted on campus when a wire fence was erected overnight around some accommodation without students being consulted.