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Students and unions staging fees and cuts protests Students and unions staging fees and cuts protests
(about 1 hour later)
Protests are taking place in London and Manchester against the higher tuition fees and public spending cuts. Protests have been held in London and Manchester against higher tuition fees and public spending cuts.
Thousands 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.
Four people have been arrested in disturbances when a group broke away from the main body of protesters. Six people were 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. In central London, thousands of students staged a noisy protest march which ended in a rally in Westminster.
Lecturers' union leader, Sally Hunt, accused the government of being at "war with young people". The event in London passed peacefully - with some of the protesters leaving to join demonstrations outside the Egyptian embassy.
Universities Minister David Willetts said the government's plans for higher education would provide "more financial support for poorer students".
The march through Manchester 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.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. The general secretary of the UCU lecturers' union, Sally Hunt, addressing the rally in Manchester, accused the government of being at "war with young people".
"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," she said.
This was a good humoured and peaceful march, which will have pleased the organisers.
Protesters, making reference to events in Egypt, wore badges saying: "Walk like an Egyptian."
But after the protest had ended and the crowds were dispersing, a small group splintered off and there was some minor trouble.
A small but loud group also made their views heard about wanting to replace the National Union of Students president, Aaron Porter.
There is a big police presence now in the city centre.
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".
"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.
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."
There have also been divisions within the protest groups - and NUS president Aaron Porter was challenged by demonstrators wanting a more militant leadership.There have also been divisions within the protest groups - and NUS president Aaron Porter was challenged by demonstrators wanting a more militant leadership.
Universities Minister David Willetts said the government's plans for higher education would provide "more financial support for poorer students".
"Our student and university finance reforms are fairer than the present system and affordable for the nation," he said.
In London, with banners such as "Still angry, still here," protesters sent the message that the campaign against higher fees and university spending cuts had not disappeared.
Social networkingSocial networking
Saturday's rallies have been the latest in a series of demonstrations and occupations by students.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. But this latest protest has passed without the major clashes that marked previous demonstrations.
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.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. As with previous demonstrations, protesters have been using social networking websites and Twitter to organise and share information during 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". The police have also provided information on the protest through Twitter.
"We have inherited a legacy of 600,000 young people who have never worked since leaving school or college," he said.
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