'Tight' vote expected on fees

Prime Minister Tony Blair's official spokesman has insisted that the tonight's top-up fees vote remains "tight" and said the premier had continued to talk to wavering MPs.

The spokesman also repeated No 10's message that no new concessions had been offered to the rebels.

He said: "The Government's view is that the vote remains very tight. The Prime Minister has continued to talk to MPs. Individual MPs may have changed sides but others have not.

"MPs appear to be deciding as individuals as is their right. We said last night there would be no more negotiations and that remains the case so reports of concessions in the last 24 hours are wrong."

The spokesman said two points brought up as appearing to be concessions had been on the table before last night's talks between rebel MPs and Mr Blair in the Commons.

They were a report next year on the possible effect of the Government's plans on students, particularly from middle income families, entering the professions and a review of the new fees system three years after it had begun.

The spokesman also stressed: "There's no extra money on the table that was not available before last night."

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