Rent rise plans draw student protests

Students at Durham University are protesting against planned rent rises.

Durham plans to raise rents by 11 per cent next year and is considering a phased increase over five years of £200 a year more than inflation. A spokesman said: "We have been effectively undercharging for years."

University College London students are unhappy with a proposed 5 per cent rent rise, which could mean the average student in halls of residences would have to pay £100 more a year. UCL said it needed the increase because of refurbishment of some residences.