Hundreds of Hampshire students will take their fight against higher tuition fees and cuts to higher education to Parliament today.

More than 400 undergraduates from Southampton University and Southampton Solent University Students’ Unions will be among the anticipated 10,000 people descending on central London.

The Fund Our Future demonstration, which will coincide with Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons, has been organised by the National Union of Students (NUS) and University and College Union (UCU).

The protest is in response to the Government’s plans to severely cut central funding for higher education and allow institutions to charge up to £9,000 per year in fees, which they argue represents a “serious threat” to colleges and universities.

‘Out of touch’ Solent Students’ Union president Daniel Prendergast, said: “The Government’s proposals to hike university fees are clearly out of touch with the public mood and put our future at risk.

“Students at Southampton Solent University are marching on Parliament to ensure that tomorrow’s students aren’t saddled with thousands of pounds worth of debt to achieve an education that Government ministers got for free.”

Mr Prendergast added his calls for Eastleigh MP Chris Huhne to stand by the pledge he signed before the election to oppose any rise in tuition fees.

The Lib Dem MP signed up to an NUS campaign fighting higher student fees, but as Energy and Climate Change Secretary is now part of the Cabinet proposing to increase the current £3,290-a-year cap.

Mr Huhne, pictured, has defended his U-turn, saying “you have to compromise in life”. He said: “The bottom line for me has always been that nobody should be put off going to university.”