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Protests planned as MPs vote on tuition fee rises Protests due as MPs vote on tuition fee rises
(40 minutes later)
The controversy over raising tuition fees in England to £9,000 per year is due to reach its climax, with a vote by MPs and plans for student protests.The controversy over raising tuition fees in England to £9,000 per year is due to reach its climax, with a vote by MPs and plans for student protests.
The coalition government, facing its first major rebellion, wants to limit the scale of backbench opposition to plans to almost treble fees.The coalition government, facing its first major rebellion, wants to limit the scale of backbench opposition to plans to almost treble fees.
More than a dozen Liberal Democrat MPs are expected to vote against the move.More than a dozen Liberal Democrat MPs are expected to vote against the move.
Business Secretary Vince Cable said the Lib Dems had to compromise on fees when they joined the coalition government.Business Secretary Vince Cable said the Lib Dems had to compromise on fees when they joined the coalition government.
The vote in the House of Commons on far-reaching changes to higher education funding will be the culmination of weeks of political divisions and student protests.The vote in the House of Commons on far-reaching changes to higher education funding will be the culmination of weeks of political divisions and student protests.
Before voting, MPs are expected to start debating the issue about 1215 GMT and this can last no longer than five hours.Before voting, MPs are expected to start debating the issue about 1215 GMT and this can last no longer than five hours.
Students from around the UK are expected to gather in London, threatening to "shut down" the capital in a day of protests.Students from around the UK are expected to gather in London, threatening to "shut down" the capital in a day of protests.
Concessions offeredConcessions offered
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 Nick Clegg, who has become a target for student anger, has said that all Lib Dem ministers will vote in favour of the plan to raise fees.Party leader Nick Clegg, who has become a target for student anger, has said that all Lib Dem ministers will vote in favour of the plan to raise fees.
Meanwhile his own party's youth wing is holding last-ditch talks to persuade Lib Dem MPs to vote against the fee rise.Meanwhile his 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.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.Liberal Democrat deputy leader Simon Hughes has said he will abstain or even rebel against the government.
"I have a duty to listen to my local party members and my supporters in my constituency, and they have asked me, on this occasion, to rebel against and break the coalition agreement," he said."I have a duty to listen to my local party members and my supporters in my constituency, and they have asked me, on this occasion, to rebel against and break the coalition agreement," he said.
"They believe that's important for our community and important given where the Liberal Party traditionally has been against tuition fees.""They believe that's important for our community and important given where the Liberal Party traditionally has been against tuition fees."
Labour and Conservative leaders clashed angrily over the fees proposals. Business Secretary Vince Cable told the BBC although the party had made headway on several issues, he understood that many of his colleagues still thought it was not an "ideal solution".
David Cameron accused the Labour party of "rank hypocrisy" for opposing the rise in fees - while Ed Miliband said the university plans were in "chaos". "We signed the pledge and we made other undertakings in our manifesto, and we accepted when we entered into the coalition agreement that some of our commitments could be maintained, others couldn't. The Conservatives had the same problem.
"The coalition agreement was a compromise. It made a commitment to produce a fairer, more progressive system of student tuition fees and we've done that."
Shadow business secretary John Denham said the government was cutting university funding by 80% and that was why such a substantial fee rise was necessary.
"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."
Under the government's system, middle-income graduates would pay the largest share of their income when they paid off their debt and Labour believed a graduate tax was fairer, he added.
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.Students and NUS officials will hold a rally and lobby MPs at Westminster throughout the day.
A march is also planned, starting at midday from Malet Street in Bloomsbury, where there are several university campuses.A march is also planned, starting at midday from Malet Street in Bloomsbury, where there are several university campuses.
Protesters will march through central London, stage a mass lobby of MPs at 1300 GMT and hold a rally at Victoria Embankment at 1500 GMT. It has been organised by the Coalition of Resistance, an umbrella group protesting against government cuts.Protesters will march through central London, stage a mass lobby of MPs at 1300 GMT and hold a rally at Victoria Embankment at 1500 GMT. It has been organised by the Coalition of Resistance, an umbrella group protesting against government cuts.
In addition, there are radical groups planning demonstrations, with "flashmobs" organised on social networking websites.In addition, there are radical groups planning demonstrations, with "flashmobs" organised on social networking websites.
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.
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