Academic Freedom
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled New powers to protect vital free speech at universities, published on 20 April 2026, what criteria will be used by the Office for Students to determine whether a university has failed to uphold its duties on freedom of speech.
Answered by Josh MacAlister
The Office for Students (OfS) published regulatory guidance on higher education providers’ free speech duties in June last year. On 23 April, the OfS published an update on the complaints scheme and conditions of registration, encouraging providers to review all their relevant policies and processes ahead of the complaints scheme coming into force from 1 September 2026, and inviting providers to have early conversations with the OfS where they have concerns or need advice on their existing policies and procedures. The OfS will announce its final plans for the complaints scheme in the summer and will consult, if appropriate, on new free speech conditions of registration later in 2026.
Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →