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Protests due as MPs vote on tuition fee rises Protests start as MPs debate 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. Thousands of demonstrators have begun marching on Westminster as MPs begin debating controversial plans to raise tuition fees in England to £9,000 a year.
The coalition government, facing its first major rebellion, wants to limit the scale of backbench opposition to plans to almost treble fees. The Business Secretary Vince Cable told MPs the changes were fair and would maintain the quality of universities while tackling the financial deficit.
Ahead of expected protests, a heavy police presence has been building in Westminster, including mounted police. The coalition government is facing its first major rebellion.
Barricades have been been placed around the Houses of Parliament. Police are out in force and barricades surround the Houses of Parliament.
MPs have begun debating whether to raise tuition fees, before a vote on Thursday afternoon, in the culmination of weeks of political divisions and student protests. The vote is the culmination of weeks of political divisions and student protests.
MPs splitMPs 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.
Students from around the UK are beginning to gather in London in a day of protests. Students from around the UK have gathered in London in a day of protests. They have set off for Westminster and there have been minor scuffles between police and protesters as officers tried to control the march.
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.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 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.
Speaking outside his home on Thursday, he said it had been a "difficult and drawn-out process for the Liberal Democrats".Speaking outside his home on Thursday, he said it had been a "difficult and drawn-out process for the Liberal Democrats".
"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.""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."
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.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.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.
DisincentiveDisincentive
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".
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".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 have begun to march through central London. They plan a mass lobby of MPs at 1300 GMT and 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 have begun to march through central London. They plan a mass lobby of MPs at 1300 GMT and a rally at Victoria Embankment at 1500 GMT. It has been organised by the Coalition of Resistance, an umbrella group protesting against government cuts.
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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