19.21 Riot police have arrived, and have dispersed the demonstrators attempting to enter the Treasury. There have been reports of injuries and arrests.

19.11 Protestors are using metal barricades in their attempts to ram open the door of the Treasury.

19.07 A wave of violence is surging as rocks are thrown by protestors. A window has reportedly ben smashed in the Treasury building. 8 policemen have now been injured.

18.09 The atmosphere is again tense as protestors are pushed back forcefully from Parliament Square to Whitehall by police.

17.54 Reports are surfacing of students staging a sit-in in the Impressionist wing of the National Gallery.

17.47 Tempers are on the rise within the crowd as news of the vote spreads. Chants of 'Shame on You' begin to ring throughout Parliament Square.

17.41 The bill passes by a margin of 323 to 302. The ayes have it – but only just.

17.37 Protestors are pushing down Whitehall towards Parliament Square, but mounted police are seriously impeding progress.

17.26 The MPs are now voting in the House of Commons.

17.11 The BBC have reported that LibDem Jenny Wilott has resigned her position as ministerial aide in protest.

17.03 According to reports, MPs are due to start the first round of voting in about half an hour. The atmosphere remains calm as protestors wait to hear the outcome.

16.55 A small bonfire in Parliament Square has had a large rubbish container added to it, causing it to erupt into large flames, emitting copious amounts of black smoke.

16.44 While the atmosphere has calmed somewhat, police in riot gear have been seen going down Black Rod's Passage towards the back of the protest, probably in preparation to the reaction to the vote expected at 5.15pm.

16.33 A splinter group of demonstrators has come round Victoria Street. Currently the police have stopped them and are holding the line. The breakaway group are attempting to join others in Parliament Square. Some police are stuck between the two groups, seemingly kettled by protestors themselves.

16.27 Scotland Yard recently released this statement at 4pm regarding the kettling of protestors:

"It has been necessary to put in a containment in Parliament Square due to the level of violence officers are faced with. Missiles including flares, sticks, snooker balls and paint balls have been aimed at police. Officers will use tannoys to talk to those within the containment to explain what is happening. 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. Officers will also pay special attention to anyone within the containment who is young or vulnerable."

16.15 Thus far, Varsity has reports of two policement taken to hospital with injuries and three arrests - one for being drunk and disorderly and two for assaulting police officers. A LibDem MP, Michael Crockart, who has a junior role in Government, has announced he will be resigning so he can vote against a rise in fees rather than simply abstaining to retain his job.

16.00 Violence is now rapidly escalating, largely due to what seems to be disorganisation. Protestors who were told they were not being kettled and could exit through the back of the square then found themselves unable to move. The police responded to a surge in bodies by trapping protestors. We are no longer free to leave. Anger amongst the crowds has increased and whilst mounted police charges are containing the protestors, some are retailiating by using parts of the metal barriers both as defensive and aggressive tools. It remains to see how much more violence will erupt in the increasingly volatile atmosphere.

15.45 Violence is really starting to escalate and a few protestors have already been injured. At least one student appears to have serious head injuries and a mounted policeman has been injured having fallen from his horse. As the march moves towards its ultimate destination, Parliament Square, the police presence is gradually increasing. Mounted police were present as early as the Trafalgar Square check point.

Increasing numbers of missiles are being thrown at the police, particularly paintballs. In response, police have deployed more members of their mounted division. At first, their use had still been minimal and relatively peaceful but they are now launching charges at the crowds. Police are concerned that protestors will attempt to access the surrounding streets and are attempting to prevent scenes similar to those at Millbank.

So far, officials have said that the protest has been largely peaceful and successful, but the atmosphere has changed rapidly in the last 20 minutes. Many remain concerned about what will happen as spirits become raised and tempers fray, particularly after Parliament's vote is announced.The National Union of Students has called for a ‘National Day of Action’ on December 13 to continue today's action.

15.40 The protestors are carrying an array of banners, emblazoned with slogans such as 'Coalition Against Fees', 'It's Free in Sweden' and 'Non Mandate for Millionaires Cuts'. As they cut through police lines, smoke bombs have been set off in places. The predominantly student protest has been joined by groups such as the Rail and Maritime Transport Union.