Labour halts Tory law on university freedom of speech at the last minute

Controversial powers introduced by the Conservatives to protect freedom of speech in universities have been halted by the new government in a dramatic about-turn, paving the way for ministers to scrap the legislation altogether.

- Sally Weale, Ben Quinn

Just days before the law was due to come into force, the education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, said she had decided to "stop further commencement of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023, in order to consider options, including its repeal".

She also announced major changes to the work of the higher education regulator in England, the Office for Students (OfS), in order to prioritise financial stability in the sector, as many universities struggle in the face of a mounting financial crisis.

The free speech legislation, which faced bitter opposition from the point of its inception, required universities and student unions to take "reasonable steps" to promote free speech, or face sanctions by the regulator including possible fines.

Phillipson said the legislation was not fit for purpose and risked imposing heavy burdens on institutions. "For too long, universities have been a political battlefield and treated with contempt, rather than as a public good, distracting people from the core issues they face." She said the government remained "absolutely committed" to freedom of speech and academic freedom.