Student back Lecturers in Sussex Uni protest

A half-completed new student accommodation block on Falmer was occupied by students in support of striking university staff – and in protest at the level of proposed rent for the new halls.

About 40 students broke into the site, which is managed by Balfour Beatty, in the early hours of this morning, temporarily bringing work to a halt.

The action came after the University of Sussex announced it would be cancelling all teaching yesterday because of a demonstration which began at 1pm.

The occupiers are making three demands – firstly, that the university gives in to the demands of the University and College Union, whose members are striking over changes to their pension schemes.

They are also demanding that the rents for the new halls are pegged at the same level as the existing halls they are being built to replace, instead of being 75% higher.

William Ranieri was there to get their thoughts.