CAMBRIDGE University students have been withholding rent for over a month in defiance of threats that their accommodation will be revoked next year for joining the action. 

A group of 40 students at Clare College have withheld over £63,000 since launching the strike on May 7 in protest against being forced to pay “extortionate” rents without access to in-person teaching or facilities. 

The strikers said at the weekend that the college was still refusing to engage with them on their demands, which include a rent reduction of 30 per cent for the 2020-2021 academic year and a permanent 10 per cent reduction. 

Students launched the strike despite being warned by Clare College that those who participate in the action will not be allowed to return to their accommodation in September. 

Since then, campaigners said the college has refused to back down on this threat, and has also attempted to issue fines against rent strikers. 

But Clare College student and rent striker Oscar Simms said he refuses to be intimidated. 

“We are tired of being ignored by senior management, and their failure to meaningfully engage with our entirely reasonable and justifiable demands proves that rent striking was the only option left,” he said. 

Students are also protesting against the college’s decision to increase rent, which already costs some students £6,000 per annum, for the next academic year above the rate of inflation. 

“Since March 2020, the college’s endowment has grown by 12.6 per cent to a valuation of £144.3 million and yet it still tries to justify increasing rent above inflation,” Jess Hoskins, another rent striker, said.  

“Clare College cares more about profit than it does about the welfare of staff and students.” 

Clare College was approached for comment.