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Department for Culture, Media and Sport: Freedom of Expression

Asked by Mr Louie FrenchConservativeMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled Answered 26 March 2025UIN 39130

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 10 March 2025 to Question 34945 on Freedom of Expression, if she will make an assessment of the compatibility of the Youth Parliament’s statement in its manifesto 2024-26 that freedom of speech should be balanced against the rights of others, and the law should better reflect this, with the Government commitment to freedom of speech.

Answered by Alex Norris

The Government is clear that everyone has a fundamental right to freedom of speech. People are expected to express their views concerning respectfully including exercising the appropriate restraints within the confines of the law when providing criticism. All language adopted by Government must be accurate and acknowledge British citizens’ unchanging right to freedom of speech and expression.

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