A coalition of student groups have occupied a University of Manchester campus building to protest against the treatment of students and staff since the beginning of the academic year and throughout the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
They announced the occupation of the Samuel Alexander building on the main campus yesterday evening.
According to the UofM student newspaper, The Mancunion, the occupiers of the building – who have stated that the action is viewed as a last resort – have written an open letter to the university’s President, Nancy Rothwell, which details the reasons behind this second occupation, in addition to the demands of the occupation.
The student groups involved in the occupation are believed to be – Rent Strike, the Nancy Out! campaign, Cops off Campus, and Student Staff Solidarity UoM.
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We have now occupied Sam Alex building in protest against @OfficialUoM treatment of students and staff. We won’t be leaving until our demands are met: pic.twitter.com/UyddwJ04gp
A rent rebate of 30% for Semester 2 for all students living in University of Manchester halls, in line with last Semester’s rebate
Democratise Manchester: introduce elections for Vice Chancellors and other leadership positions, increase student representation in university structures, and diversify the Board of Governors in line with the Nancy Out! campaign’s structural change proposal.
A cash rebate of £1500 for all University of Manchester students, to be extracted from the University’s £200million savings fund.
Put an end to police patrols of the Fallowfield accommodation campus with immediate effect.
No compulsory redundancies for staff in the library whose jobs are currently in scope.
No punishment for occupiers and continued guarantee of no punishment for rent strikers.
The students have announced that they will occupy the building until demands are met.
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They have stated that while the occupation is taking place, they will not block students from accessing study spaces in the building in any way, and will remain quiet and respectful to students wishing to study inside the building.
Addressing the occupation of the building, a University of Manchester spokesperson told The Mancunion that: “A small number of students are currently occupying an area in one of our buildings without permission [and] staff are on site to ensure safety and welfare.
“We would ask that the students leave.
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“We understand that some of our students have concerns and we are continuing to work closely with their elected representatives”.
Although the university declined to comment on the specific demands of the occupation, The Mancunion confirmed that a representative drew attention to a fact sheet released in March, in which the university highlighted some of the ways that they have endeavoured to support students during the pandemic, ranging from investment in IT and library resources, to the Assessment Pledge.
According to this document, “students living in University accommodation who have not returned to their accommodation since the national lockdown announcement on 5 January are not being charged until the end of the current restrictions, or the date that they return to their accommodation in Manchester”.
Students are also able to break their halls accommodation contracts at any time during this academic year “without financial penalty”.
Molly-Mae Hague and adidas drop new collection inspired by matcha and iced lattes
Daisy Jackson
Today, adidas has finally released its hotly-anticipated parnership with Manchester-based influencer Molly-Mae Hague.
The social media superstar has collaborated with the sportswear giant for a limited-edition footwear collection inspired by matchas and iced lattes.
Molly-Mae and adidas Originals have just given fans a look at the shoes for the first time.
The star has curated a limited-edition collection of iconic Originals silhouettes – a Samba and a Superstar.
The first is the Samba Matcha shoes, a premium leather and suede shoe in a soft green colour, with double pink and white laces.
The other is a Superstar II Latte, which again features double laces in coffee-coloured hues, but in the iconic leather Superstar silhouette.
In behind-the-scenes footage of the design process on Molly-Mae’s Amazon Prime documentary series, Behind It All, she described them as ‘matcha cool girl in London’ shoes – and the vision has definitely come to life.
Molly-Mae said: “Seeing my creative vision come to life on two iconic adidas Originals silhouettes that have long been staples in my wardrobe is a true dream.
“Being so closely involved in the design process and creating products that feel fun, timeless, and an authentic extension of my own personal style has been the best experience.
“I am so excited to see how others style them in their own way.”
Steve Marks, VP Brand adidas UK commented: “At adidas, we partner with individuals who define style through authenticity and a deep-rooted connection to our brand.
“Molly-Mae’s relationship with adidas Originals has developed organically over time as a key advocate of the brand and this partnership represents a natural evolution – bringing her signature aesthetic to two of our most iconic silhouettes.”
The limited-edition adidas Originals x Molly-Mae collection drops in stores and online on 9 April, priced at £100 per pair.
Greater Manchester’s homicide rates have now dropped to a ‘historic’ low
Emily Sergeant
Homicide rates in Greater Manchester are now at the lowest they’ve been for 25 years, according to new figures.
Thanks to a major programme introduced by Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) to prevent violent crime and keep communities safe, known as the Violence Reduction Unit (VRU), it has been revealed that the region’s homicide rate has fallen by 32% in 2025 to what is its lowest level on record since 1990.
If you’re unfamiliar with what the VRU is, it brings together GMP, Greater Manchester Probation Service, health and education professionals, youth justice, local authorities, and the voluntary, community and faith sector to address the underlying causes of violent crime.
It’s this multi-agency approach that’s said to be delivering ‘tangible results’ and driving a reduction in violent crime in Greater Manchester.
As well as homicide rates, the VRU’s partnership work with Greater Manchester Police (GMP) is also said to be having ‘major impact’ across the region on issues like knife crime.
Thanks to operational activity helping to disrupt serious violence and remove more weapons from the region’s streets, the police have also recorded that knife crime in Greater Manchester has fallen by 15% in the last year too.
Following a steady decline since 2021, rates of personal robbery have fallen by 17% in the last year in Greater Manchester.
Greater Manchester’s homicide rates have now dropped to a ‘historic’ low / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Additionally, A&E attendances due to assault decreased by 3% in the same time period, with a 9% reduction among young people aged 10–24, and ambulance callouts for assault also fell by 9% in relation to this.
GMCA says that the reductions in demand for emergency services, as revealed in the latest figures, prove just how much the VRU’s combined prevention and enforcement approach is working.
“These latest figures show the real progress being made in tackling violent crime and making our streets safer,” commented Mayor Andy Burnham.
“Reductions in knife crime and homicides don’t happen by chance – they come from early intervention, our strong partnership with the police and our work with communities to tackle the root causes of violence.”
The Manc -
23rd April 2021 
