Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

University Campuses: Freedom of Speech

Monday 6 September 2021 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Department is working to ensure lawful freedom of speech is supported on university campuses.
  • The Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill was introduced to strengthen existing freedom of speech duties.
  • The Government views freedom of speech and academic freedom as fundamental pillars of the higher education system.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Marco Longhi
Education
Context

No specific context given, but the question addresses concerns over the protection of freedom of speech.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to protect freedom of speech on university campuses.

Answer from Michelle Donelan

We are working to ensure that lawful freedom of speech is supported to the fullest extent, which is why the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill was introduced on 12 May. The Bill will strengthen existing freedom of speech duties and introduce clear consequences for breaches of the new duties.

Answered
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Q2 Marco Longhi
Education
Context

The MP references criticism from Labour and the Lib Dems, stating that the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill is a distraction.

Question

Labour and the Lib Dems have described the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill as a distraction. Does my hon. Friend agree that the politicising of education, the tearing down of statues and the censorship of speakers who do not fit left-wing woke narratives are all completely indefensible, and that the protection of academic freedoms and freedom of speech in education settings should be a priority for us all?

Answer from Michelle Donelan

This Government believe that freedom of speech and academic freedom are a fundamental pillar of our higher education system and that protecting those principles should be a priority for our universities and never a distraction. That is why this Government have introduced a Bill to strengthen protections for free speech and academic freedom.

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