Students balloted on rising rents

Students at King's College are being balloted over direct action

Students at Cambridge University vote on Wednesday on whether to take action over rising rents.

The ballot at King's College has been organised by the students' union, which says room fees have gone up by almost 30% in the last four years.

If the ballot supports action, the union will hold an emergency meeting on Thursday to decide its next course.

Rent strikes, demonstrations or a sit-in at the college are among the options.

People won't want to come to the university to study if they have to contend with ever increasing rents, which put them in debt Ben Brinded, Cambridge University Student Union

Ben Brinded, president of Cambridge University Student Union (CUSU) said: "If the cost of being a student at King's College is pushed too high it will affect student access and admission to Cambridge University.

"People won't want to come to the university to study if they have to contend with ever increasing rents, which put them in debt.

"It's heartening to see the students at King's care so passionately about this issue.

"They enjoy the college and don't want the opportunity to study there to be denied to other people."

The students say King's is one of the most expensive colleges in Cambridge, with students paying £72 a week.

Roger Salom, the bursar at King's College, said: "The rents here are significantly below those at comparative universities for like accommodation."

Mr Brinded added: "If the King's students agree to take direct action CUSU will support them in any way we can."