Desperate briefings by Education Secretary Charles Clarke have failed to head off the massive rebellion, which could threaten Tony Blair's future and which is now supported by more than 180 MPs.
The decision to allow universities to charge up £3,000 a year, which critics say could discourage poorer students, was made by a Cabinet stuffed full of graduates whose own fees were paid by the taxpayer.
Student maintenance grants were abolished in 1997, when Labour came to power, and tuition fees introduced.
All universities charge £1,050 a year to undergraduates, but the latest plans would at least double that.
Of the 21 members of the current Labour Cabinet, 18 went to university and eight went to either Oxford or Cambridge. Only one member, Makerfield MP Ian McCartney, the Labour chairman, says that he went to "state schools".
Braced
Among Greater Manchester rebel Labour MPs, fewer went to university - around half - and only one, ex-Environment Minister Michael Meacher, MP for Oldham West & Royton, went to Oxbridge.
Local MPs' education ranges from Andrew Bennett (Denton and Reddish), who went to Birmingham University; Keith Bradley (Withington), York University; and Dr Brian Iddon (Bolton South East), Salford University.
Government managers are braced for a tough January, with the findings of the Hutton Inquiry into the death of Dr David Kelly, followed by the vote on student fees.
The government's plan would free universities to set their own fee levels, up to £3,000, with graduates beginning to repay the debt when they earn more than £15,000 a year. Parents would be relieved of up-front fees and there would be grants of up to £1,000 for students whose parents earn less than £10,000.
One MP who will be supporting the government is Deputy Leader of the Commons Phil Woolas, who represents Oldham East and Saddleworth. He admits that despite getting grants, he ended up with a £2,500 debt, which left him with a bank overdraft - and it took him six years to pay it off after getting a job as a labourer.
One of the MPs who will not vote for the scheme is Tory Graham Brady (Altrincham & Sale West), former education spokesman and now an aide to the Conservative leader, Michael Howard.
"I believe that top-up fees will deter people because of the prospect of significant levels of debt," said Mr Brady.
"People on middle incomes of around £30,000 will be hardest hit. Below that, people will get financial help, but middle-income families will be clobbered after increases in tax and council tax."
Mr Brady, who went to Durham University, said he came out with an overdraft, despite having a full student grant.
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