Academic Freedom: Complaints
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what her planned timetable is for implementation of the free speech complaints scheme.
Answered by Josh MacAlister
On 28 April, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education signed commencement regulations, bringing the following provisions into force on 1 August 2025:
- Duties on higher education (HE) providers and their constituent institutions to take reasonably practicable steps to secure freedom of speech within the law, put in place a code of practice on freedom of speech and academic freedom and promote freedom of speech.
- A ban on non-disclosure agreements for staff and students at HE providers in cases of bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct.
- Duties on the Office for Students (OfS) to promote freedom of speech and the power to identify good practice and advise HE providers on it.
The department is seeking a suitable legislative vehicle to amend and repeal other elements of the Act in due course, including in relation to the complaints scheme.
In the meantime, as well as the new provider duties in place, the OfS Director for Freedom of Speech and Academic Freedom continues to work with the sector to offer advice and share best practice, so providers can protect free speech and academic freedom more effectively.
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