THE government today admitted it could be heading for defeat over plans for student top-up fees.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott said that unless more rebels changed their mind, the Higher Education Bill was doomed.

"The way the figures are at the moment, to be absolutely honest, the government will get defeated unless some more people come over and commit themselves to supporting a Labour government," said Mr Prescott.

The defeat of the plan for £3,000-a-year university tuition fees would be a devastating blow for Tony Blair, on the eve of publication of the Hutton Report into the death of weapons expert Dr David Kelly.

Mr Prescott, who will continue to try to persuade rebels today, admitted it was not an easy situation for the prime minister.

He said: "We need to win this vote. We're appealing to our people to support a Labour government. I say to my colleagues, who either want to abstain or vote against, it's make your mind up time."

He agreed the threat of a dramatic cliffhanger vote on a flagship policy was "not a good situation" for a government with a Commons majority of 161. More than 180 MPs, including 159 Labour members, have signed a motion criticising the plans.

Persuaded

These include Terry Lewis (Worsley), Keith Bradley (Withington), David Crausby (Bolton North East), Jim Dobbin (Heywood & Middleton), Michael Meacher (Oldham West & Royton), Andrew Bennett (Denton & Reddish), Brian Iddon (Bolton South East) and Tony Lloyd (Manchester Central).

It is not certain how many of the rebels have been persuaded to change their mind, although the government says the result is "too close to call" which implies that many of the rebels are either planning to vote with the government or abstain.

It is believed that if around 85 Labour MPs vote against the Bill, it will be enough to defeat it.

Last night, Mr Blair launched a personal appeal to the rebels to save his skin, and Mr Prescott held more talks with rebel leaders, MPs George Mudie and Nick Brown.

But there appeared to have been no breakthrough and the whips were expected to be busy in the hours up to this evening's crucial vote.

Salford bookmaker Fred Done is offering odds of 4/5 that Tony Blair loses the vote and evens that he scrapes through. "We have had plenty of interest in the vote with lots of small bets on the result," he said.

Can the government win on student fees?