University of Manchester students have barricaded themselves into three campus buildings

University of Manchester students have barricaded themselves into three buildings including a senior management office.

The students have barricaded themselves into the campus buildings with security reportedly unable to get inside, according to the Manchester Evening News.

It comes amid a rent strike staged by students who are calling for university bosses to agree to their demands, as well as the demands of the current industrial action by the UCU. Last month, hundreds of students announced they would be withholding rent amid claims they’ve been forced to use food banks and get full-time jobs to make ends meet.

The students are calling for the university to offer a 30% cut on monthly payments, and refund some fees already paid to help with the affordability of rent for the rest of the year. It’s understood the three buildings that have been occupied are the Engineering building, the Samuel Alexander building, and the ‘high security’ senior management John Owens buildings – where the Vice Chancellor, Nancy Rothwell, is located.

The signs display messages such as: ‘We demand affordable rent Nancy earn 260k!’, ‘Students are not cash cows’, and ‘UoM puts profit over students and workers’, amongst others.

A University of Manchester spokesperson said: “We are aware of a small number of individuals gaining unauthorised access to three University-owned buildings 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.”