2:33am UK, Thursday December 09, 2010
Tens of thousands of students are expected to march to Parliament on the day MPs vote on trebling university tuition fees.
Students marching up Whitehall on November 24
The proposals, which could see students being forced to pay up to £9,000 per year, have sparked outrage.
Dozens of people were arrested in November after a major protest in London against the hikes turned violent.
Riot police were deployed as groups smashed their way into Millbank Tower - the headquarters of the Conservative Party - and occupied the roof.
Today's march in the capital is set to start at University London Union, in Malet Street, at 12pm.
Protesters will then head through Russell Square, Holborn, Kingsway, Aldwych, Strand, Trafalgar Square, Admirals Arch, Horse Guards Road, Great George Street, Parliament Square and Whitehall.
Institute of Fiscal Studies
* The proposals are more progressive than the current system as richer pay more
* But it is less transparent and more complex regarding support and interest rates
* National Scholarship Fund gives 'financial incentive' for universities charging more than £6k to turn away poorer students
The crowds are then to be dispersed along Victoria Embankment, where a rally will be held at 3pm.
Officials, activists and members of some of the country's biggest trade unions are expected to join the march.
Other protests against the proposals are also set to take place across the country.
Ahead of the vote, Prime Minister David Cameron insisted increasing tuition fees will widen access to university.
They will also create incentives to improve the quality of courses and leave the poorest graduates better off than under the existing system, the Conservative Party leader said.
He has rejected critics' claims the Government is simply seeking to save money by removing state subsidies and heaping the burden of university funding on to students' shoulders.
But the University and College Union's Sally Hunt said: "The introduction of a market in our universities will lead to students making their choice of degree based on its price.
"That might not be an issue for the millionaires in the Cabinet, but it will be for tens of thousands of students and their hardworking families."
Business Secretary Vince Cable has announced further concessions aimed at easing the financial burden on poor students in a fresh bid to win over doubters.
They included increasing the number of part-time students who would no longer face upfront tuition.
The move followed Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg's announcement on Tuesday night that all his ministers would vote in favour of the fee increases.
But many Lib Dem backbenchers are still determined to oppose the plans rather than merely abstain as permitted under the coalition agreement.
Several Tory MPs, including former shadow home secretary David Davis, are also likely to vote against, although the size of the Government's majority means the measures should still make it through.
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