Really Free Education In our struggle for free education, we cannot simply call for an abolition of tuition fees only. Food and shelter are supposed to be socio-economic human rights, but these two basic needs are highly inaccessible for many students, especially in London. This is why we have included a description of two methods which are particularly useful, a way to get by while studying in expensive London. Squatting (and affordable renting) Are you shocked by the extortionate rent prices you're asked to pay? Slowly giving up on any prospects of living in Zone 1 or 2? London is in a deep housing crisis. Soaring prices make this city a playground for the rich while whole communities are socially cleansed through the process of gentrification. If you decide to rent privately, be aware that we as students play an important part in changing the neighbourhoods of London. Some landlords are taking advantage of the fact that most of London's new residents, including students, have no idea of appropriate rents in different boroughs. They exploit this by raising the rental prices as much as possible, which leads us to pay much higher rents than the current market rates, thereby making the neighbourhood we move to more unaffordable. It does not have to be this way! Talk to your neighbours. Inform yourselves and others about your legal rights. Join a tenants association or tenants rights political group, such as the Radical Housing Network (RHN). Check if there's local groups in your area which form part of the RHN. Whatever you do, don‘t pay too much rent! There is also another alternative. The high rent prices don't just come out of nowhere, real estate speculation, wealth management and investment in empty properties are one of the many reasons; breaking news: capitalism sucks. There are over 50,000 empty houses while homelessness in London has doubled in the last 5 years. Houses should not be empty while there are people without homes to live in. People are living without electricity, hot water and food in order to pay huge rents which 'the market' dictates, much to the delight of unscrupulous property owners and estate agents. Chances of finding acceptable and affordable housing on the private market is nearly impossible and there is no government support for more public housing. Thus, some decide to live in squats instead. Squatting means occupying and living in empty properties, and it has long-standing history in London. It might seem like a daunting choice at first, but there are many fellow squatters out there and groups such as the Advisory Service for Squatters (ASS), which can help you get started as well as find other people to squat with. So-called 'practical squatters nights' take place each 1st and 3rd Tuesday in LARC, 62 Fieldgate St – E1 1ES, and each 2nd and 4th Tuesday in the 56a InfoShop, 56 Crampton St – SE17 3AE, at 7pm. Although squatting in residential properties was criminalised in 2012, squatting in commercial properties is still legal. Many of these 'commercial' properties are perfectly suitable for residential living. For more info get a copy of the Squatters Handbook (also available online) or send an e-mail to our own squatter in the SU at academic@soas.ac.uk. Skipping Gasping at the prices while walking the aisles of supermarkets or at market-stalls? Food prices in London can eat a massive hole into your budget, even if you avoid eating out. And yet, food waste in the UK is the highest in the EU: Millions of tonnes of food are being wasted each year. Numerous supermarkets and retail shops throw away perfectly edible food each day. So-called skipping (or 'dumpster-diving') is a way to harvest this food waste and it's a fairly simple method. It seems strange to spend a lot of money on a sandwich in
central London if the same packaged sandwich is later being thrown out in front of the shop after it closes, ready to be picked up and eaten. Various food shops and bakeries near SOAS throw away unsold food at the end of the day, and London's skipping/freegan community makes use of that. If you're on a tight budget, this is a helpful way of saving up on food expenses, while being friendly to the environment as well. There will be 'skipping trips', which will point out locations as well as some tips and tricks on how exactly to do it, organised at the beginning of the first term. Contact the SU to find out more.