<p><br /> The Government has won a crucial Commons vote on raising the upper level of tuition fees to £9,000 after a debate which exposed deep divisions in the coalition.<br /> </p><p><br /> MPs voted 323 votes to 302, a majority of 21 in favour of the motion despite vocal opposition from some Liberal Democrats and a handful of Tory MPs.<br /> </p><p><br /> Business Secretary Vince Cable said he was "proud" of the Government's package, which will allow English universities to treble fees from 2012.<br /> </p><p><br /> The vote followed a fractious five-hour debate and took place as protesters opposed to the rise in fees clashed with police in the streets outside Parliament.<br /> </p><p><br /> Thousands of demonstrators were involved in ugly clashes which saw injuries on both side.<br /> </p><p><br /> One police officer was taken to hospital with a serious neck injury after being knocked unconscious.<br /> </p><p><br /> A second officer needed medical attention for leg injuries after he was pulled from his horse in Parliament Square.<br /> </p><p><br /> As scuffles continued to break out, police began using the controversial tactic of "kettling" protesters, due to violence.<br /> </p><p><br /> A Scotland Yard statement said earlier: "Officers will use Tannoys to talk to those within the containment to explain what is happening.<br /> </p><p><br /> "Those who are clearly not involved in any violence and want to join the agreed rally point at Victoria Embankment will be allowed to do so.<br /> </p><p><br /> "Officers will also pay special attention to anyone within the containment who is young or vulnerable."<br /> </p><p><br /> Students marched through central London in a last-ditch protest against the coalition's plans to allow English universities to charge £6,000 a year and up to £9,000 in "exceptional circumstances".<br /> </p><p><br /> The current fee cap is £3,290 for the academic year 2010/11.<br /> </p><p><br /> Earlier in the House of Commons shadow business secretary John Denham said fees were being trebled "simply to reduce the 80 per cent cut in the funding of university teaching - not to raise extra money".<br /> </p><p><br /> He told MPs: "Most graduates will be asked not to pay something towards their education, but to pay the entire cost of their university education. Universities will have to charge £7,000 to £8,000 simply to replace the money they lose and many universities will lose 90 per cent of their public funding."<br /> </p><p><br /> Even before the vote the Liberal Democrats had suffered casualties with two ministerial aides quitting.<br /> </p><p><br /> Mike Crockart and Jenny Willott resigned because of their views on the Government's plan.<br /> </p>
