VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Academic Freedom: Complaints

Asked by James McMurdockIndependentDepartment for EducationTabled Answered 2 June 2026UIN 2946

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 steps her Department is taking to ensure that students, staff and visiting speakers are aware of their rights under the new complaints scheme.

Answered by Josh MacAlister

​The Office for Students (OfS) will introduce its free speech complaints scheme on 1 September 2026, which will be available for higher education (HE) provider staff, non-student members and visiting speakers. HE students will, as now, be able to complain to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for HE. The OfS will also publish details of the complaints scheme rules in advance of its introduction in September.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim