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Protests surround Westminster as MPs debate fee rises Protests surround Westminster as MPs debate fee rises
(40 minutes later)
Thousands of demonstrators have marched on Westminster as MPs debate plans to raise tuition fees in England to £9,000 a year. Thousands of demonstrators are surrounding the Houses of Parliament as MPs debate plans to raise tuition fees in England to £9,000 a year.
Protesters have scuffled with riot police in Parliament Square and have broken through barriers. Protesters forced their way into Parliament Square and are pressing against lines of riot police.
Police with riot shields are surrounding the Houses of Parliament. Police are behind barriers surrounding the Houses of Parliament.
Inside the House of Commons, Business Secretary Vince Cable told MPs the fee plans were fair and would maintain the quality of universities.Inside the House of Commons, Business Secretary Vince Cable told MPs the fee plans were fair and would maintain the quality of universities.
The coalition government is facing its first major backbench rebellion. Demonstrators have pushed security barriers and thrown missiles at police lines in front of the Houses of Parliament.
There have been minor scuffles between police and protesters as officers tried to control the march. In the vote to be held this afternoon about the fees plan, the coalition government is facing its first major backbench rebellion.
The BBC's Heather Sharp in Parliament Square says a smoke flare has been set off.
The BBC's Dominic Hurst had described an "ugly mood" as protesters had scuffled with riot police.
Students from around the UK have gathered in London for a day of protests and a rally.Students from around the UK have gathered in London for a day of protests and a rally.
The police said they were expecting 20,000 demonstrators.The police said they were expecting 20,000 demonstrators.
The Commons vote on Thursday afternoon is the culmination of weeks of political divisions and student protests.The Commons vote on Thursday afternoon is the culmination of weeks of political divisions and student protests.
MPs split
It is expected that more than a dozen Liberal Democrat MPs will not support the government - including the party's deputy leader Simon Hughes.It is expected that more than a dozen Liberal Democrat MPs will not support the government - including the party's deputy leader Simon Hughes.
The National Union of Students is expecting up to 10,000 for a rally - and 20,000 could take part in a separate protest march which will head towards Westminster. Opening a noisy debate in the Commons, Mr Cable said the fees plan would "maintain high quality universities in the long-term, tackle the fiscal deficit and provides a more progressive system of graduate contributions based on people's ability to pay".
Opening a noisy debate in the Commons, Mr Cable said: "The instrument that we're discussing here is a central part of a policy that is designed to maintain high quality universities in the long-term, tackle the fiscal deficit and provides a more progressive system of graduate contributions based on people's ability to pay".
Liberal Democrat MPs have been under intense pressure - after their election pledge to vote against any fee increase.Liberal Democrat MPs have been under intense pressure - after their election pledge to vote against any fee increase.
Party leader and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, who has become a target for student anger, said that all Lib Dem ministers will vote in favour of the plan to raise fees.Party leader and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, who has become a target for student anger, said that all Lib Dem ministers will vote in favour of the plan to raise fees.
"In the circumstances where the country as a whole, we don't have much money... it's not unreasonable to ask those graduates who've been lucky enough to go to university to make a contribution towards the costs," said Mr Clegg. But Liberal Democrat deputy leader Simon Hughes has said he will abstain or even rebel against the government.
Meanwhile Mr Clegg's own party's youth wing is holding last-ditch talks to persuade Lib Dem MPs to vote against the fee rise.
In an attempt to bolster support, ministers announced further concessions on repayment thresholds which would make the fee package more generous to students.
Liberal Democrat deputy leader Simon Hughes has said he will abstain or even rebel against the government.
Disincentive
Mr Hughes said that the "level of fee increase... may have a significant disincentive effect on youngsters going to university".Mr Hughes said that the "level of fee increase... may have a significant disincentive effect on youngsters going to university".
Mr Clegg's own party's youth wing has also held last-ditch talks to persuade Lib Dem MPs to vote against the fee rise.
Spending cuts
Shadow business secretary John Denham said the fee increase was being driven by the government's decision to have deep cuts to university funding.Shadow business secretary John Denham said the fee increase was being driven by the government's decision to have deep cuts to university funding.
"Even if they had just cut universities the way they are cutting other public services, students would be facing fees of no more than £4,000," he told the BBC."Even if they had just cut universities the way they are cutting other public services, students would be facing fees of no more than £4,000," he told the BBC.
"This is a choice they have made and they don't have to make it.""This is a choice they have made and they don't have to make it."
Prime Minister David Cameron has accused the Labour party of "rank hypocrisy" for opposing the rise in fees - while Ed Miliband said the university plans were in "chaos".
The package of measures would see fees rising to an upper limit of £9,000 per year - with requirements for universities to protect access for poorer students if they charge more than £6,000 per year.The package of measures would see fees rising to an upper limit of £9,000 per year - with requirements for universities to protect access for poorer students if they charge more than £6,000 per year.
College occupationsCollege occupations
The proposals to raise fees have triggered a wave of student and school pupil protests, with a march last month leading to an attack on the Conservative headquarters in Millbank.The proposals to raise fees have triggered a wave of student and school pupil protests, with a march last month leading to an attack on the Conservative headquarters in Millbank.
Dozens of universities have been occupied by students - with students in five more universities occupying buildings this week.Dozens of universities have been occupied by students - with students in five more universities occupying buildings this week.
For the first time, there have also been occupations of schools by pupils.For the first time, there have also been occupations of schools by pupils.
Aaron Porter, president of the National Union of Students, urged MPs to "do the honourable thing and vote down these damaging proposals".Aaron Porter, president of the National Union of Students, urged MPs to "do the honourable thing and vote down these damaging proposals".
"Students are now descending on Westminster to ensure that promises to voters are kept and they are not sold down the river," said Mr Porter."Students are now descending on Westminster to ensure that promises to voters are kept and they are not sold down the river," said Mr Porter.
Students and NUS officials will hold a rally and lobby MPs at Westminster throughout the day. A march is also moving through central London towards Westminster.
There has been no consensus within the university sector about the fees deal.There has been no consensus within the university sector about the fees deal.
The university lecturers' union has backed student protesters - while university vice chancellors have been split over whether to support or oppose the fees plan.The university lecturers' union has backed student protesters - while university vice chancellors have been split over whether to support or oppose the fees plan.
The proposals to raise fees would apply to students in England. Welsh students will not pay the higher rate of fees, even at universities in England.The proposals to raise fees would apply to students in England. Welsh students will not pay the higher rate of fees, even at universities in England.
In Scotland there are no tuition fees - and Northern Ireland has still to decide how it will respond to any fee rise in England.In Scotland there are no tuition fees - and Northern Ireland has still to decide how it will respond to any fee rise in England.
Are you a student who will be affected by the changes? Are you a student taking part in the protests? What are you hoping will be the outcome of the MPs' vote? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.Are you a student who will be affected by the changes? Are you a student taking part in the protests? What are you hoping will be the outcome of the MPs' vote? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
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