Students to stage protest march

• Thousands of students are set to march in London against the rising costs of university and further education. It will be the first national student protest since a wave of unrest over tuition fees two years ago.
• The National Union of Students (NUS) has also published a survey suggesting voters have not forgiven MPs who broke election promises over raising fees.
  • "Education should open doors, but the government is slamming them shut," said NUS leader, Liam Burns.
  • "The damaging effects of recent changes to education have restricted access for future students and created new barriers for those currently studying," he said.
• The protest march, which will pass near to the Houses of Parliament, is an attempt to put students back on to the political agenda - raising concerns over the impact of higher fees and the loss of financial support such as the education maintenance allowance.
• They will also highlight concerns about the lack of job opportunities for young people.
• It marks the second anniversary of a protest against tuition fees in November 2010, which drew 50,000 students and saw a violent attack on Conservative Party offices in Millbank.
• The National Union of Students says tuition fees will still be an issue in the next election - and it has published a YouGov survey indicating it will influence the voting of parents with children affected by higher fees.
• The Liberal Democrats and their leader, Nick Clegg, who promised to vote against raising tuition fees, became particular targets for student anger.
• And the survey of 2,025 adults indicates 58% of those with children under the age of 18 believe that MPs who broke their promise over tuition fees should not stand at the next election.
• It found that 62% of these parents said they would not vote for an MP who had broken their election pledge on fees.
• "Nick Clegg won the trust and votes of young people and their parents by signing the pledge, but has now lost them once and for all by breaking it," said Mr Burns.
• The mainstream demonstration by the NUS is expected to be joined by a separate feeder march by the more radical National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts, which has challenged the route agreed for protesters.

Sourc: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education/