At approximately 4.30pm today, student activists affiliated with the Edinburgh University Anti-Cuts Coalition occupied Appleton Tower.

The demonstration is ongoing, and the status of the occupation with regards to access and security is still unclear. The group have not yet issued their demands.

Although it was not clear how many protestors were inside the building, several of the demonstrators who participated in the overnight occupation of George Square Lecture theatre on Wednesday, and the occupation of the same building in September, were present.

The group posted a statement on the Anti-Cuts Coaltion website saying:

"We are now occupying Appleton Tower, in support of the UCU strike on Wednesday November 30, against the moves of the government to privatise higher education and in defence of the principle that education is a public, social good which should be free for all.

"We stand in solidarity with student occupations across the UK. If we wish to defend our system and move towards a genuinely egalitarian position – where students are supported through their degrees, courses and staff are properly funded and no one is priced out of education – we must make a stand now.

"We do not intend or expect to disrupt teaching and hope that the university will not choose to cancel or move lectures or events happening in Appleton."

Group members at the occupation told The Student that they intended to stay until 30 November, a date which coincides with a major University and College Union strike.

Updates will follow with further developments.