Jonathan Osako, Birmingham Socialist Students
Student rent has increased by an average of 14.73% between 2022 and 2023, according to research from NatWest. In some places by as much as 20%, in 2024, the average monthly rent is now £689.43!
And it’s not just the rent going up. In fact the only thing that’s not skyrocketing is the money we get to live on! These increases have changed the lifestyle of many students. More than half, 56% of students, are spending less on social activities – with a negative impact on their social lives and wellbeing.
Rip-off rent
Meanwhile, to make ends meet, many students have to find a part-time job while being a full-time student, impacting on their ability to study. No one should be coerced to sacrifice their entire social life for work in order to survive. The opportunity for students to socialise and connect is what allows the youth to organise many of the social movements we see today.
This recent shift of student life reflects how capitalism causes alienation. By suppressing the wage to the minimum possible, workers are exhausted by working all hours in order to sustain themselves. This leaves little time or energy to socialise or have a life outside the career. This is an attempt to stop workers from being able to organise effective movements to fight back.
Likewise, many students spend all their time on studying and their part-time job with little time socialising with others, hoping to have a well-paid job upon graduation.
Socialist Students fights for halls to be brought into public ownership, not in the hands of profit-making vultures. They should be invested in so they’re safe for students to live in. We also call for the building of council houses, and rent controls so that we all have an affordable, comfortable place to live.
