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Student protest to march on City over university fees Thousands march in student protest over university fees
(40 minutes later)
Hundreds of students have gathered in central London for a protest against higher tuition fees and "privatisation" in universities. Thousands of students are marching in central London in a protest against higher tuition fees and "privatisation" in universities.
Thousands are expected to march to the City of London, where a protest against corporate greed has been taking place outside St Paul's Cathedral. They are going to march to the City of London, where a protest against corporate greed has been taking place outside St Paul's Cathedral.
Security is tight, especially in the City, with 4,000 officers on duty and plastic bullets on standby.Security is tight, especially in the City, with 4,000 officers on duty and plastic bullets on standby.
Last year a wave of student protests ended in violent clashes.Last year a wave of student protests ended in violent clashes.
Financial districtFinancial district
The student protest, organised by the National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts, is campaigning against the government's plans for a market-driven higher education system. The student protest, organised by the National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts, is against the government's plans for a market-driven higher education system.
"We are being told by a cabinet of millionaires that we will have to pay triple tuition fees," said campaign leader Michael Chessum."We are being told by a cabinet of millionaires that we will have to pay triple tuition fees," said campaign leader Michael Chessum.
The route of the march is headed towards the financial district of the City of London, where there is already a protest camp outside St Paul's Cathedral. The route of the march is through the financial district of the City of London, where there is already a protest camp outside St Paul's Cathedral.
The Occupy London protesters at the cathedral are planning to stage their own events in support of the student marchers.The Occupy London protesters at the cathedral are planning to stage their own events in support of the student marchers.
After the violent scenes that accompanied a series of student protests last year, there is set to be a heavy police presence. After the violent scenes that accompanied a series of student protests this time last year, there is a heavy police presence.
BBC News Correspondent Sean Coughlan described the scene in the City shortly before noon : "Lines of police and metal barriers are in place at the points where the route of the protest march will come closest to the London Stock Exchange and St Paul's Cathedral. As a warning against any outbreaks of violence, a spokesman for the Metropolitan Police had said that one of the tactics available was "the authority to deploy baton rounds [plastic bullets] in extreme circumstances".
As police and news helicopters hovered overhead, thousands of protesters set off from Malet Street in London's university district.
Protesters carried placards which read "Scrap Tuition Fees" and "Free Education" and chanted "No ifs, no buts, no education cuts" and slogans criticising the police over rubber bullets.
They are now making their way through the capital.
BBC Education Correspondent Sean Coughlan is at the march. At 1325, he said: "Chanting student protesters are going through London's Theatreland, lots of noise, lots of cameras and lots of police. It feels less predictable than last year's protests, but so far no trouble."
Earlier, he described the scene in the City: "Lines of police and metal barriers are in place at the points where the route of the protest march will come closest to the London Stock Exchange and St Paul's Cathedral.
"City office workers are looking down from their windows as more police begin to appear along the route of the march.""City office workers are looking down from their windows as more police begin to appear along the route of the march."
As a warning against any outbreaks of violence, a spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said that one of the tactics available was "the authority to deploy baton rounds [plastic bullets] in extreme circumstances".
Students are now gathering for the beginning of the protest march, with rows of banners against fee rises and spending cuts.Students are now gathering for the beginning of the protest march, with rows of banners against fee rises and spending cuts.
Above the chants, drums and loudhailers is the drone of a police helicopter. There are police horses already lining the route and a concentration of barriers and police in the route into the City of London. Above the chants, drums and loud-hailers is the drone of a police helicopter. There are police horses already lining the route and a concentration of barriers and police in the route into the City of London.
There are financial buildings there with windows boarded in anticipation of trouble.There are financial buildings there with windows boarded in anticipation of trouble.
So far the gathering march is good-humoured, the numbers perhaps edging into the thousands, but with no official figures so far.So far the gathering march is good-humoured, the numbers perhaps edging into the thousands, but with no official figures so far.
It will all be played out under the eye of the cameras. One of the protesters had tied a camera to his hat like a media-age miner's helmet.It will all be played out under the eye of the cameras. One of the protesters had tied a camera to his hat like a media-age miner's helmet.
This rally is being supported by the National Union of Students, but it is not being organised by them.This rally is being supported by the National Union of Students, but it is not being organised by them.
As with protests last year, the campaign publicity has used social networking. It comes amid continued confusion over tuition fees for 2012.
There have already been reports of students occupations on campuses ahead of the march.
Fee changes
The protest comes amid continued confusion over tuition fees for 2012.
This week the university access regulator, Offa, revealed that one in five universities now wanted to change their fees and bursaries, even though many students have already applied.This week the university access regulator, Offa, revealed that one in five universities now wanted to change their fees and bursaries, even though many students have already applied.
The Independent Taskforce on Student Finance Information, which has been asked by the government to explain the fee system, says that its polling suggests widespread confusion among the public about student finance. The Independent Taskforce on Student Finance Information says its polling suggests widespread confusion among the public about student finance.
It says that this public confusion over fees is a "national scandal".It says that this public confusion over fees is a "national scandal".
Universities Minister David Willetts said: "We are putting students at the heart of the system, with a diverse range of providers offering high-quality teaching. Going to university depends on ability not the ability to pay.Universities Minister David Willetts said: "We are putting students at the heart of the system, with a diverse range of providers offering high-quality teaching. Going to university depends on ability not the ability to pay.
"Most new students will not pay upfront, there will be more financial support for those from poorer families and everyone will make lower loan repayments than they do now once they are in well paid jobs."Most new students will not pay upfront, there will be more financial support for those from poorer families and everyone will make lower loan repayments than they do now once they are in well paid jobs.
"Students, like other citizens, have the right to participate in peaceful protest.""Students, like other citizens, have the right to participate in peaceful protest."
Competition a 'fact of life'Competition a 'fact of life'
Paul Clark, director of policy at Universities UK, which represents higher education institutions, says universities will not be damaged by increased competition.Paul Clark, director of policy at Universities UK, which represents higher education institutions, says universities will not be damaged by increased competition.
"I think that the level of private involvement in higher education at the moment is relatively small and is likely to remain that way for the forseeable future although we know there are plans to, to change this," he said."I think that the level of private involvement in higher education at the moment is relatively small and is likely to remain that way for the forseeable future although we know there are plans to, to change this," he said.
"But we also know that competition is a fact of life for universities. They compete for part-time students; post-graduate students for research funding and for international students. So this is not something that we should necessarily be afraid of, as a sector.""But we also know that competition is a fact of life for universities. They compete for part-time students; post-graduate students for research funding and for international students. So this is not something that we should necessarily be afraid of, as a sector."
Are you taking part in the student protest? Send us your comments using the form below:Are you taking part in the student protest? Send us your comments using the form below: