Bristol, Cut the Rent secure a £100,000 increase in accommodation bursary

By Olivia Beatson, Digital News Editor

The strike movement Bristol, Cut the Rent announce a new 50% increase in accommodation bursary and compensation for students in halls with maintenance issues.

Earlier today the movement Bristol, Cut the Rent released a joint statement with the University of Bristol detailing changes that will occur this academic year and next academic year in relation to student housing.

The movement organised months of rent strike in University halls, protesting the high cost of living and the quality provided in halls of residence. In the statement given today, the several actions were agreed after 6 meetings between the strikers and the University.

'Rent strikes work, and this is shown by successful strikes at UCL, Sussex, and now our own University' - Ruth Day, Bristol, Cut the Rent

Actions agreed included:

• In 2020/21 the University will increase the accommodation bursary pot from £200,000 to £300,000
• The University agreed to only raise the prices of rooms in line with inflation for 2019/2020
• Bristol, Cut the Rent was given a detailed table of how and where student rent is spent
• In 2020/21 the University will trial a new system in halls where students can opt to pay rent monthly instead of in three large chunks

Another topic agreed upon by both parties was more compensation for students suffering with unresolved maintenance issues, with £23,000 worth of compensation for students in New Bridewell facing water and cladding problems.

Student Ruth Day, Bristol Cut the Rent, told Epigram: 'we're really proud at Bristol, Cut the Rent to have made such a difference to living in university halls. Rent strikes work, and this is shown by successful strikes at UCL, Sussex, and now our own university.

'We look forward to continuing to work with the University and support the SU as the rent prices for the next academic year are negotiated in February.'

To find out more about Bristol, Cut the Rent, visit their Facebook page, here.

Featured Image:Bristol, Cut the Rent / Ruth Day

Have you been involved in the ongoing rent strikes? Let Epigram know!