A union has called the proposed two-week rent reduction for University of Manchester (UoM) students a “slap in the face”.
Students representing UoM Rent Strike, Students Before Profit and 9K4WHAT have been holed up in the otherwise empty Tower in Owens Park since last week – demanding that the university cuts rent prices.
The building WiFi was shut off during the early part of the protests, with UoM insisting the students “shouldn’t be there.”
But following negotiations Sunday, the university said that all students would receive a discount of two weeks’ rent.
The University and College Union (UCU) said the offer isn’t good enough.
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General Secretary Jo Grady said: “After student protesters asked for a rent reduction of at least 40%, a reduction of two weeks must feel like a slap in the face. We completely support students’ protests against how they’ve been treated.”
She added: “UCU is very worried the university’s actions this term will lead to students speaking with their feet and choosing not to study at Manchester which could lead to job losses for our members.
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“The university must now step back from the brink, limit any further damage to its reputation and meaningfully engage with the students protesting.”
Protesting students had been asking for UoM Vice-Chancellor Nancy Rothwell to engage with them on a number of issues – including the installation of “prison-like” fencing overnight on Fallowfield campus.
Following widespread uproar, the fences were torn down by the students themselves on Bonfire Night.
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UoM said they met with student representatives over the weekend and are working to “progress a number of areas.”
This hasn’t been the year that any of us would have planned and we know we haven’t got everything right. But we're making this five-point pledge to all students in our accommodation: https://t.co/vaJv9CVlSqpic.twitter.com/MCAiJ4m47B
The university admitted they “haven’t got everything right” this term and published a “five-point pledge” to improve living standards for students – announcing rent reductions, flexible accommodation agreements, better maintenance support, tackling antisocial behaviour, and better study spaces.
However, students insist the offer doesn’t meet their demands.
UoM Rent Strike wrote on Twitter: “Students & staff have seen this pitiful pledge for what it is.
“Within 1 day hundreds have signed up to make January the biggest rent strike yet.”
Protests and negotiations continue.
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Victim named and murder investigation launched after young woman is killed in Newton Heath stabbing
Emily Sergeant
The victim of a street stabbing in Newton Heath this week has been named for the first time as a murder investigation continues.
It comes after officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) responded to reports of a disturbance at around 2am yesterday (Thursday 15 October) on Dorking Avenue, in the Newton Heath area of Manchester, and when they arrived on the scene, they found a woman in her 20s with serious injuries that were ‘consistent with a stabbing’.
Despite best efforts of all emergency services involved, the young woman was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
As the murder investigation progresses, the woman has now been publicly named and a photo of her has been released for the first time.
She has been named as 26-year-old Alisha Samuels.
At this time, one man, aged 25, has been arrested on suspicion of murder, and a man and woman, aged 61 and 38, have been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, and they all remain in custody – with officers continuing their enquiries to establish the full circumstances of this incident.
Alisha’s family have asked for privacy whilst they deal with the devastating loss of their loved one, GMP has stated.
“We are continuing to urge people who may have information in relation to this incident to please come forward to support our investigation and bring justice for Alisha,” the police force said in a public appeal.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or has mobile phone, CCTV, or doorbell footage, is urged to call GMP on 0161 856 5464, or contact them via the Major Incident Public Portal here.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
Featured Image – GMP (Family Handout)
News
Former supply teacher jailed for multiple upskirting and AI sex offences across Greater Manchester
Emily Sergeant
A former supply teacher has been jailed for multiple upskirting and AI sex offences in schools across Greater Manchester.
Abusali Rahman – a British national of Bangladeshi ethnicity from Salford – appeared in Bolton Crown Court this week for his sentencing after first being charged with, and then pleading guilty to, several offences.
The offences are including, but not limited to, 12 counts of taking an indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child (images obtained by upskirting), three counts of making indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child (making AI-generated images), and one count of attempting to meet girl under 16 following sexual grooming.
The offences are alleged to have taken place between December 2023 and June 2025, according to Greater Manchester Police (GMP).
Twelve girls have been identified in relation to the upskirting offences – aged between 13 and 16 at the time of the alleged offending – at seven high schools in three Greater Manchester boroughs (Bury, Bolton, and Salford).
GMP says it has remained in close contact with the schools, local authorities, and other partners throughout the investigation to ensure all appropriate support is in place for those who need it.
Additionally, the court also heard how Rahman amassed a collection of images of young girls, using AI and other methods to sexualise them.
The images numbered more than 300 in total, ranging from Category A to Category C classifications, and Rahman would post these on social media, often alongside humiliating and disgusting captions.
Rahman was sentenced to six years in prison, and will also be subject to a 20-year Sexual Harm Protection Order.
A former supply teacher has been jailed for child sex offences in schools across Greater Manchester / Credit: GMP
Detective Constable Lisa McGaffin, from GMP’s Bolton Child Protection Team, described Rahman’s crimes as ‘absolutely abhorrent’.
“My thoughts throughout this process have always been with the young girls who have been subject to such indignity,” DC McGaffin said following the sentencing this week. “Their welfare and support will always be a priority for us.
“While working as a teacher – someone who young children should trust and be safe with – Rahman repeatedly took secret photos for his own sick gratification, before posting images online which showed his total disregard for the girls’ respect and dignity.
The Manc -
19th November 2020 
