Tension in UK student protests rise as MPs debate fees increase

Riot police lined up behind metal barriers surrounding the Houses of Parliament, where a break-away group of protestors threw flares and were pushed by police.

Students from around the UK gathered in London for a day of protests and a rally- police were expecting about 20,000 demonstrators.

In tense scenes, protesters occupying Parliament Square have started fires and thrown paint bombs and missiles at police lines.
Inside the House of Commons, Business Secretary Vince Cable told MPs the fee plans were fair and would maintain the quality of universities.

In the vote to be held this afternoon about the fees plan, the coalition government is facing its first major backbench rebellion.

It is expected that more than a dozen Liberal Democrat MPs will not support the government, including the party's deputy leader Simon Hughes.

Demonstrators pushed at the police line to shouts of "no ifs, no buts, no education cuts".

One of the protesters reportedly struggled back through crowd with blood running down his face as another held a burning placard aloft.

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.

But Liberal Democrat deputy leader Simon Hughes has said he will abstain or even rebel against the government. The "level of fee increase... may have a significant disincentive effect on youngsters going to university,” he said.

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.