The government is expected to reactivate a piece of legislation aimed at protecting free speech on university campuses. The Higher Education Freedom of Speech Act, which could have seen universities fined for failing to uphold freedom of speech,

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson told MPs that academic freedom was ‘much more important than the wishes of some students not to be offended’.

Legislation was put on hold last year over fears it would permit hate speech such as Holocaust denial on campus

New laws to protect free speech in university campuses have been brought back by ministers after a backlash from academics.

The Labour government is expected to reintroduce a divisive university ‘free speech’ law, despite concerns over hate speech on campuses. The Higher Education Freedom of Speech Act was passed under the Conservative government in 2023 and gave powers to the Office for Students (OfS) to fine universities,

The Labour Government is expected to set out its plans for controversial freedom of speech legislation for universities. The Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act – which could have seen universities and student unions in England fined for failing to secure freedom of speech – was put on hold by Labour last summer.

Labour is set to revive university free speech laws just months after suspending them, following significant backlash from academics. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson will reintroduce a modified version of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act in the coming weeks.