Free Speech Complaints Scheme

Lord Skidelsky Excerpts

Monday 23rd February 2026 Lords Chamber

Asked by

[Lord Skidelsky]

To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the letter to the Secretary of State for Education, signed by more than 350 academics and campaigners, calling for a free-speech complaints scheme run by the Office for Students.

[The Minister of State, Department for Education and Department for Work and Pensions (Baroness Smith of Malvern) (Lab)]

My Lords, the Government are absolutely committed to freedom of speech and academic freedom. I can confirm that the Secretary of State and I have considered the letter and the concerns raised in it, and I had the opportunity to meet with and hear from many of the signatories. While I cannot comment on the future legislative programme, our commitment to the complaints scheme has been clearly set out. We will act to protect freedom of speech and academic freedom, and we are considering options.

[Lord Skidelsky (CB)]

I thank the Minister for her reply. Can she please explain why a complaints scheme has not yet been introduced, despite the Government’s promise set out in the Department for Education policy paper published in June 2025 to

“seek a legislative vehicle at the earliest opportunity”?

Do the Government have a timetable for legislation to amend and implement the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act to achieve that purpose?

[Baroness Smith of Malvern (Lab)]

As I made clear in my Answer, we have committed to introducing the revised complaints process. It is normal practice not to comment on future legislative opportunities. However, I assure the noble Lord that we are making progress with this. I expect us to be able to introduce the amended complaints scheme sooner rather than later.