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NDAs: Universities
29 June 2022
Lead MP
Layla Moran
Oxford West and Abingdon
Lib Dem
Responding Minister
Michelle Donelan
Tags
Crime & Law EnforcementEconomyWomen & Equalities
Word Count: 4121
Other Contributors: 1
At a Glance
Layla Moran raised concerns about ndas: universities in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The Minister should expedite work by the Office for Students to regulate bad behaviour in universities and provide concrete actions against NDAs. The Government should support a private Member's Bill aimed at banning forced NDAs and include such language in the victims Bill to amplify victims' voices.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) in universities has had a significant emotional and psychological impact on survivors of sexual assault and harassment. The issue is not with the no-contact agreements themselves, but rather the coercive nature of NDAs that accompany them, leaving students feeling powerless to negotiate or refuse due to their vulnerability.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Universities across the United Kingdom are aware of the issues surrounding non-disclosure agreements but have failed to implement necessary safeguards, despite repeated discussions on this matter.
Government Response
Michelle Donelan
Government Response
I thank the hon. Member for Oxford West and Abingdon for securing this vital debate on an issue I am personally passionate about. Sixty-seven institutions have signed up to a pledge not to use NDAs in cases of sexual harassment, bullying and other forms of abuse, protecting more than 1 million students. The Government has asked the Office for Students to work on a new condition of registration that would sanction providers failing to take seriously their duties including on NDAs with fines, suspension or deregistration as a university. Universities are urged to sign up to the pledge to spearhead a cultural shift against the misuse of NDAs in sexual harassment cases.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.