Students protest at housing

Students at the London School of Economics heckled higher education minister Eric Forth this week as he opened a new student hall at High Holborn. The students were angry that telephone lines and computer links were not working, and that hot water supplies were erratic and showers leaking.

They are demanding a rebate. The building cost Pounds 12.75 million and was financed entirely by private capital. An LSE spokesman said there had been some technical hitches and the school was seeking a refund from suppliers. Kate Hampton, student union president, handed a letter to Mr Forth, arguing that the current level of higher education funding is unacceptable.