Universities: Freedom of Speech

(asked on 21st June 2021) - View Source

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure freedom of speech in British universities.


Answered by
Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay Portrait
Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
This question was answered on 29th June 2021

Ministers are working to ensure that lawful freedom of speech in higher education is supported to the fullest extent. The Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill was introduced on 12 May 2021 in the House of Commons and will strengthen existing freedom of speech duties in England. It will directly address gaps within the existing law and extend the duties to cover students’ unions as well as higher education providers. The changes will introduce clear consequences for breaches of the new duties. This will ensure that freedom of speech and academic freedom are protected and promoted within higher education.

A copy of the Bill as introduced can be found here: https://bills.parliament.uk/publications/41479/documents/212.

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