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Universities: Freedom of Speech
10 October 2024
Lead MP
Catherine McKinnell
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
No tags
Other Contributors: 23
At a Glance
Catherine McKinnell raised concerns about universities: freedom of speech in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
Government Statement
The Secretary of State wrote to colleagues and made a written statement on 26 July 2024 pausing the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023's implementation due to concerns about unintended consequences and disproportionate burdens for universities. The minister emphasised that higher education must be a space for robust discussion without undermining safety or wellbeing, thus the decision was made to pause the Act for further consultation with stakeholders such as academics, students, and campaigners before making any final decisions.
Damian Hinds
Con
East Hampshire
Question
This evening a Member was due to speak at Cambridge University but cancelled due to safety concerns. The Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act became law last year, however, the new Secretary of State decided not to commence it. Some 600 academics support this legislation and seven are Nobel prize laureates. Does the Secretary of State think they would support it if it was a Tory hate charter? Will she meet these academics?
Minister reply
The Government paused implementation to ensure the Act is right, considering feedback from stakeholders who raised concerns about its burdensomeness. The minister committed to further consultations and will pass on requests for meetings with concerned groups.
Graham Stringer
Lab
Blackley and Middleton South
Question
Universities and academic freedom are vital to the UK’s intellectual and economic health. Can the Minister explain whether concerns about Chinese government threats influenced this decision, which was made 21 days after taking office?
Minister reply
The minister assured that the decision was not influenced by external pressures such as the Chinese Government's actions but rather a commitment to consider options for getting the legislation right.
Ian Sollom
Lib Dem
St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire
Question
Freedom of speech is essential in exploring ideas, facts, and data. The Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act was not based on evidence nor proportionate; however, concerns within Jewish communities must be taken seriously. What work is the Minister undertaking to ensure that Jewish staff and students feel safe?
Minister reply
The minister welcomed the question and highlighted ongoing meetings with Universities UK, Union of Jewish Students, University Jewish Chaplaincy, and Community Security Trust to address antisemitic abuse.
Adam Thompson
Lab
Erewash
Question
Can the Minister reflect on the dire inheritance in education, particularly in higher education?
Minister reply
The minister acknowledged the wider challenges facing higher education and emphasised the Government’s commitment to support economic growth through higher education.
Maldon
Question
Will the Minister commit to meeting a delegation of senior Jewish academics led by Professor David Abulafia, who has requested such a meeting?
Minister reply
The minister committed to passing on this request for meetings with concerned stakeholders.
Mary Foy
Lab
City of Durham
Question
Does my hon. Friend agree that the real threat to academic freedom are cuts to academic subjects and job insecurity, issues ignored by the Conservative party when in government?
Minister reply
The minister agreed with her hon. Friend’s point about economic support for universities being crucial alongside ensuring a robust framework for free expression.
Gavin Williamson
Con
Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge
Question
Questions the Minister about the casting aside of an Act of Parliament without Members having a chance to vote on it.
Minister reply
Commends Gavin Williamson for his efforts in upholding freedom of speech. Emphasises the need to protect freedom of speech and ensure legislation does not impede it.
Sean Woodcock
Lab
Banbury
Question
Welcomes the Government's measures to ensure Jewish student safety on campus, questioning if this shows that students should be able to study without concern for their safety.
Minister reply
Agrees with Sean Woodcock and states that regardless of religion, all students should feel safe and secure in their studies.
Bob Blackman
Con
Harrow East
Question
Argues universities must be avenues for robust discussion, demanding the Minister ensure those rights are upheld in future considerations.
Minister reply
Acknowledges Bob Blackman's work and agrees that there needs to be a balance between freedom of speech and upholding lawful freedom of expression.
West Dunbartonshire
Question
Raises concerns about previous Conservative Education Ministers stating the legislation could allow hate groups to seek compensation.
Minister reply
Agrees that there are valid concerns, particularly regarding universities potentially overlooking safety and well-being of minorities.
Julian Lewis
Con
New Forest East
Question
Asks the Minister for specific examples where the Act was deemed disproportionate by those lobbying for a pause.
Minister reply
Explains that the principle is to look at all aspects and concerns in detail without providing specific instances.
Mark Ferguson
Lab
Gateshead Central and Whickham
Question
Discusses his vote on no-platforming Hizb ut-Tahrir and criticises the Government's position as a charter for hate groups.
Minister reply
Agrees that freedom of expression must be protected but stresses the need to prevent unlawful speech.
Ayoub Khan
Ind
Birmingham Perry Barr
Question
Notes a rise in Islamophobic hate at universities and requests a report on consultations from the Minister.
Minister reply
Commits to feeding back reports from consultations to the House.
Peter Swallow
Lab
Bracknell
Question
Questions whether unsubstantiated claims of marking down students who express Tory views undermine robust debate on campuses.
Minister reply
Agrees that robust debate is important and warns against creating culture wars.
Christchurch
Question
Asks if the Government will bring vice-chancellors to account for their failures in delivering freedom of speech on campuses.
Minister reply
Agrees with Christopher Chope's point about existing duties on higher education providers and the importance of having vice-chancellors who believe in freedom of speech.
Calder Valley
Question
Highlights concerns that universities may revoke adoption of the IHRA definition due to fears over legislation.
Minister reply
Agrees with the importance of getting the legislation right and ensuring lawful protection of freedom of speech.
Luke Evans
Con
Hinckley and Bosworth
Question
Asks if cancel culture and no-platforming are problems, whether they are worsening, and requests a concrete timetable for new legislation.
Minister reply
Acknowledges the importance of free speech but emphasises the need to take time to ensure protection of it.
Richard Holden
Con
Basildon and Billericay
Question
If the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act had been implemented, as would have happened under the last Government, to a timetable over the summer, the situation at the University of Cambridge probably would not have occurred, nor would the situation in Durham. Would the hon. Lady reflect on the fact that this delay is having an impact on freedom of speech in universities across the country?
Minister reply
I respectfully disagree. Many concerns were expressed that unintended consequences of the Act would create a disproportionate burden, and that is why we have paused it—to step back and to reflect on whether the measures introduced by the Act are needed. We absolutely know that it is necessary to uphold freedom of speech.
Richard Foord
Lib Dem
Honiton and Sidmouth
Question
When the Minister considers whatever comes next after the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act, will she consider the business of foreign funding for international students, their scholarships and research institutes? In particular, will she ensure that no tests or conditions are imposed by other states on international scholarships, bursaries and funding for research institutes?
Minister reply
The hon. Gentleman tempts me into a much broader discussion on higher education. We recognise the challenges, but also the opportunities in this sector. I am sure the Minister for Skills will be listening to the hon. Gentleman’s concerns and considering them as part of the wider work on ensuring we support our higher and further education sectors in the best way.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
Will the Minister outline how the Government will ensure that enshrining freedom of speech means enshrining freedom to believe and to express one’s beliefs without fear or favour? How will the Government ensure that students with deeply held faith or who hold true to biological science are entitled to discuss their beliefs on gender, ideology and indeed every facet of student life without fear or favour?
Minister reply
Yes, I give the hon. Gentleman that reassurance. It is for that reason that we are pausing and making sure that we get this legislation right. Freedom of speech and academic freedom are too important to approach in anything other than a considered, pragmatic and consensual way.
Nick Timothy
Con
West Suffolk
Question
I appreciate the Minister’s constructive tone. She says that she does not want this to be a culture war issue. When the pause was announced by the Secretary of State, special advisers in her Department described the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act to the media as a Tory “hate speech charter”. Will the Minister disown those comments?
Minister reply
I have been very clear that we need to take a constructive approach and to listen to all views on this issue. We need to protect freedom of speech and academic expression, and that includes robust debate where necessary and challenging views that we may not want to hear.
Jerome Mayhew
Con
Broadland and Fakenham
Question
The Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act is not a Government scheme that is being paused, but an Act of Parliament that has received Royal Assent. It is a very serious decision to stop that in its tracks, so it must have been based on serious evidence. Will the Minister set out that evidence? Given the need to defend freedom of speech is now, how long will the process take?
Minister reply
I agree that this is a serious issue, and it was a serious and important decision to make. We need to have the right foundations in place to secure free speech in the long term in higher education. We will consult all the groups with an interest in ensuring that we get this right.
Shadow Comment
Damian Hinds
Shadow Comment
The shadow Secretary of State questioned the Government’s decision to halt commencement of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act without parliamentary debate. He highlighted that cross-party support was received during its passage and cited 600 academics, including seven Nobel prize laureates, in supporting the legislation's intent to protect free speech on campus. The shadow urged the Secretary of State to meet with these stakeholders and commence the Act.
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