Students Protest against Tuition Fee Rise Turn Violent in London

Thousands of University students and lecturers have taken to the streets of London in protest against University funding cuts and a rise in tuition fees. The demonstration took place at the Conservative Party's headquarters in central London later turning violent in what's thought to be the biggest of its kind since the new coalition government came into power.

Our London correspondent Tu Yun reports.

Demonstrators smashed the windows, lit fires and clashed with the police in front of the building. At least eight people, including a police officer, suffered minor injuries.

Around 50 thousand University students and lecturers from across England and Wales gathered in central London, holding banners and placards demanding the government stop education cuts and increases in tuition fees. Anarchist symbols and the words "Tory Scum" were sprayed around the building.

" Thirty years ago when my parents went to university they paid absolutely jack all (slang for very little) to go and get an education. Now we've got to pay, however much we are going to be earning. It is ridiculous. "

The Tory-Lib Dem coalition government rolled out a spending review last month and announced a cut of 40% of higher education funding. The Government plans to cut funding to universities as it attempts to slash 81 billion pounds from public expenditure over the next four years.

It wants to raise the tuition cap to 6,000 pounds a year from 2012, with some Universities able to charge up to 9,000 pounds in what's termed in "exceptional circumstances". It will almost triple the current fees.

Protestors say the Lib Dems betrayed their promises made before the General Election, warning they may face a wipeout if they fail to vote against higher fees.

" The fact that the Lib Dems' only real policy was free Universities and now they are going to up the fees is a complete contradiction in terms. "

Nick Clegg, the Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the Liberal Democrats, speaking at the parliament admitted his party failed to deliver their policy. But he confronted opposition Labor Party's Deputy Leader Harriet Harman and insisted the higher tuition fee plan is fairer.

" We all agree across all sides of this House that graduates should make some contribution for the benefit of going to university. The question is how. We have a progressive plan. She has no plan whatsoever. "

Organizers of the demonstration condemned the violence saying the actions of the minority, out of the 50,000 was regrettable. Elsewhere protestors were peaceful.

Tu Yun, For CRI, London.