The 2010 UK student protests

The 2010 UK student protests were a series of demonstrations held around the country in November and December 2010, with central London serving as the focal point. The protests, which were mostly student-led, were organized in response to the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government's projected spending cuts to further education and a rise in the tuition fee cap following their review of higher education financing in England.

The National Union of Students (NUS) and the University and College Union (UCU) together planned the first big demonstration on November 10th (UCU). Between 30,000 and 50,000 people marched through downtown London, with several hundred splitting off to attack and occupy the Conservative Party offices. A central London march was kettled in Whitehall, resulting in a violent clash with demonstrators. Further protests were conducted in downtown London on November 30, when police battled with protestors and kettled them in Trafalgar Square, while other protests were held across the country. Another central London protest occurred on December 9, the day the proposed amendments became law, with protestors battling with police and being kettled in Parliament Square.

The student protests were ineffective in blocking the government's policies. The demonstrations had been highly contentious in the United Kingdom, with both the establishment and protesters condemning them for instances of violence and vandalism. The Metropolitan Police's handling of the protests was also heavily condemned for suspected instances of deception and overuse of force.

Date: November and December 2010

Location: London

Purpose: opposition to planned spending cuts to further education and an increase of tuition fees