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Students and unions staging fees and cuts protests Students and unions staging fees and cuts protests
(40 minutes later)
Protests are being held in London and Manchester against the higher tuition fees and public spending cuts. Protests are taking place in London and Manchester against the higher tuition fees and public spending cuts.
Thousands have attended a joint rally in Manchester organised by students and trade unions. Thousands attended a joint rally in Manchester organised by students and trade unions.
In central London, thousands of students are taking part in a noisy protest march which is heading towards Whitehall and Westminster. Four people have been arrested in disturbances when a group broke away from the main body of protesters.
In central London, thousands of students have taken part in a noisy protest march heading towards a rally in Westminster.
Lecturers' union leader, Sally Hunt, accused the government of being at "war with young people".Lecturers' union leader, Sally Hunt, accused the government of being at "war with young people".
Universities Minister David Willetts said the government's plans for higher education would provide "more financial support for poorer students".Universities Minister David Willetts said the government's plans for higher education would provide "more financial support for poorer students".
About 3,000 people are estimated have taken part in a march through Manchester, which brought together protests against higher tuition fees with wider trade union opposition to spending cuts and job losses. The march through Manchester brought together protests against higher tuition fees with wider trade union opposition to spending cuts and job losses.
The BBC's Danny Savage estimated that there were about 3,000 at the rally.
'Betrayal''Betrayal'
With banners such as "Still angry, still here," protesters in London sent the message that the campaign against higher fees and university spending cuts had not disappeared.With banners such as "Still angry, still here," protesters in London sent the message that the campaign against higher fees and university spending cuts had not disappeared.
"It is betraying an entire generation," Ms Hunt, general secretary of the University and College Union, told the rally in Manchester."It is betraying an entire generation," Ms Hunt, general secretary of the University and College Union, told the rally in Manchester.
She attacked the government for raising tuition fees in England to a new upper limit of £9,000 per year and for scrapping education maintenance allowances for college students.She attacked the government for raising tuition fees in England to a new upper limit of £9,000 per year and for scrapping education maintenance allowances for college students.
Mr Willetts said the changes to student finance were an improvement which put "students in the driving seat".Mr Willetts said the changes to student finance were an improvement which put "students in the driving seat".
"Our student and university finance reforms are fairer than the present system and affordable for the nation," he said."Our student and university finance reforms are fairer than the present system and affordable for the nation," he said.
TUC assistant general secretary Kay Carberry told the rally in Manchester that young people should not pay the price for the government's "reckless gamble" with the economy.TUC assistant general secretary Kay Carberry told the rally in Manchester that young people should not pay the price for the government's "reckless gamble" with the economy.
Emma Bates, aged 17, from Greenhead College in Huddersfield, explained why she was taking part in the protest.Emma Bates, aged 17, from Greenhead College in Huddersfield, explained why she was taking part in the protest.
"We are not going to take all these government cuts lying down. The only way of doing that is by protesting.""We are not going to take all these government cuts lying down. The only way of doing that is by protesting."
'Investing' There have also been divisions within the protest groups - and NUS president Aaron Porter was challenged by demonstrators wanting a more militant leadership.
Saturday's rallies will be the latest in a series of demonstrations by students. Social networking
Saturday's rallies have been the latest in a series of demonstrations and occupations by students.
On the day MPs voted to raise fees, there were angry scenes on the streets of London as thousands of students marched through the capital.On the day MPs voted to raise fees, there were angry scenes on the streets of London as thousands of students marched through the capital.
Police in London have handed out leaflets to demonstrators explaining the right to protest.Police in London have handed out leaflets to demonstrators explaining the right to protest.
Protesters taking part in the rally in Westminster will also be using technology to avoid being held in a police "kettle" - with the launch of a mobile phone application designed to identify blocked routes. Protesters taking part in the rally in Westminster have been using technology to avoid being held in a police "kettle" - with the launch of a mobile phone application designed to identify blocked routes.
As with previous demonstrations, protesters have been using social networking websites and Twitter to organise and report on the event.
Employment Minister Chris Grayling said the trade unions needed to understand that the youth unemployment challenge facing this government was a "direct consequence of the failings of Labour".Employment Minister Chris Grayling said the trade unions needed to understand that the youth unemployment challenge facing this government was a "direct consequence of the failings of Labour".
"We have inherited a legacy of 600,000 young people who have never worked since leaving school or college," he said."We have inherited a legacy of 600,000 young people who have never worked since leaving school or college," he said.
"We think young people deserve better - that's why we're investing in apprenticeships to create long-term jobs and are developing work experience opportunities so that young people get the skills and experience they need to successfully compete in the labour market."
Are you going to join the protests today? Are you affected by the issues? Send us your comments using the form below.Are you going to join the protests today? Are you affected by the issues? Send us your comments using the form below.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7725 100 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7725 100 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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