Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023
make provision in relation to freedom of speech and academic freedom in higher education institutions and in students’ unions; and for connected purposes.
Government Bill
(Department for Education)
What is this Bill?
The Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 was a Government Bill that became an Act of Parliament.
Is this Bill currently before Parliament?No. This Bill was introduced on 12 May 2021 and became an Act of Parliament on 11 May 2023.
Whose idea is this Bill?Government Bills implement the legislative agenda of the Government. This agenda, and the Bills that will implement it, are outlined in the Queen's Speech at the Session's State Opening of Parliament.
How can I find out exactly what this Bill does?The most straightforward information is contained in the initial Explanatory Notes for the Bill.
Would you like to know more?See these Glossary articles for more information: Act of Parliament, Government Bills, Process of a Bill
Official Bill Page Initial Explanatory Notes Initial Briefing papers Ministerial Extracts from Debates All Bill Debates
This bill has received Royal Assent and has become an Act of Parliament
Bill Progession through Parliament
Latest Key documents
Timeline of Bill Documents and Stages
11th May 2023
Royal Assent: Minutes of Proceedings (Lords)
11th May 2023
Royal Assent (Commons)
11th May 2023
Act of Parliament
Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 (c. 16)
10th May 2023
Consideration of Commons amendments: Minutes of Proceedings (Lords)
10th May 2023
Consideration of Commons amendments (Lords)
9th May 2023
Amendment Paper
HL Bill 134-I Marshalled list for Consideration of a Commons Reason and Amendment
3rd May 2023
Bill
HL Bill 134 Commons Disagreement and Amendment in Lieu
2nd May 2023
Consideration of Lords message
2nd May 2023
Amendment Paper
Commons Consideration of Lords Message as at 2 May 2023
2nd May 2023
Selection of amendments: Commons
Grouping of Lords Amendments in Lords Message by Secretary Gillian Keegan and selection of Motion by Mr Speaker - 2 May 2023
2nd May 2023
Bill proceedings: Commons
Proceedings on Consideration of Lords Messages as at 2 May 2023
28th April 2023
Amendment Paper
Notices of CCLM Amendments as at 28 April 2023
30th March 2023
Amendment Paper
Notices of CCLM Amendments as at 30 March 2023
27th March 2023
Will write letters
Letter from Earl Howe to Lords regarding a correction to a remark made about a consultation during Lords Consideration of Commons amendments to the Bill.
27th March 2023
Briefing papers
Briefing Paper on progress of the Bill
23rd March 2023
Bill
Bill 279 2022-23 (Lords non-insistence and amendments to the words so restored to the Bill)
21st March 2023
Consideration of Commons amendments: Minutes of Proceedings (Lords)
21st March 2023
Consideration of Commons amendments (Lords)
20th March 2023
Amendment Paper
HL Bill 104-I Marshalled list for Consideration of a Commons Reason
17th March 2023
Amendment Paper
HL Bill 104(a) Motions for Consideration of a Commons Reason
8th February 2023
Bill
HL Bill 104 Commons Disagreement and Reason
7th February 2023
Consideration of Lords amendments (Commons)
7th February 2023
Programme motion
7th February 2023
Amendment Paper
Commons Consideration of Lords Amendments as at 7 February 2023
7th February 2023
Bill proceedings: Commons
Proceedings on Consideration of Lords Amendments as at 7 February 2023
7th February 2023
Selection of amendments: Commons
Grouping of Lords Amendments by Secretary Gillian Keegan - 7 February 2023
14th December 2022
Bill
Bill 219 2022-23 (Lords Amendments)
14th December 2022
Explanatory Notes
Bill 219 EN 2022-23
13th December 2022
3rd reading: Minutes of Proceedings (Lords)
13th December 2022
3rd reading (Lords)
7th December 2022
Report stage: Minutes of Proceedings (Lords)
7th December 2022
Report stage (Lords)
7th December 2022
Bill
HL Bill 79 (as amended on Report)
5th December 2022
Amendment Paper
HL Bill 30-R-I Marshalled list for Report
2nd December 2022
Amendment Paper
HL Bill 30-R(f) Amendment for Report
1st December 2022
Amendment Paper
HL Bill 30-R(e) Amendment for Report
30th November 2022
Amendment Paper
HL Bill 30-R(d) Amendments for Report
28th November 2022
Amendment Paper
HL Bill 30-R(c) Amendments for Report
21st November 2022
Amendment Paper
HL Bill 30-R(b) Amendments for Report
15th November 2022
Amendment Paper
HL Bill 30-R(a) Amendments for Report
14th November 2022
Committee stage: Minutes of Proceedings (Lords)
14th November 2022
Committee stage (Lords)
10th November 2022
Amendment Paper
HL Bill 30-III Third marshalled list for Committee
2nd November 2022
Committee stage: Minutes of Proceedings (Lords)
2nd November 2022
Committee stage (Lords)
31st October 2022
Committee stage: Minutes of Proceedings (Lords)
31st October 2022
Committee stage (Lords)
31st October 2022
Amendment Paper
HL Bill 30-II Second marshalled list for Grand Committee
27th October 2022
Amendment Paper
HL Bill 30-I Marshalled list for Grand Committee
26th October 2022
Amendment Paper
HL Bill 30(o) Amendment for Grand Committee
25th October 2022
Amendment Paper
HL Bill 30(n) Amendments for Grand Committee
20th October 2022
Amendment Paper
HL Bill 30(m) Amendments for Grand Committee
18th October 2022
Amendment Paper
HL Bill 30(l) Amendment for Grand Committee
17th October 2022
Amendment Paper
HL Bill 30(k) Amendments for Grand Committee
11th October 2022
Amendment Paper
HL Bill 30(j) Amendments for Grand Committee
6th October 2022
Amendment Paper
HL Bill 30(i) Amendments for Grand Committee
30th September 2022
Amendment Paper
HL Bill 30(h) Amendments for Grand Committee
28th September 2022
Amendment Paper
HL Bill 30(g) Amendments for Grand Committee
26th September 2022
Amendment Paper
HL Bill 30(f) Amendments for Grand Committee
8th September 2022
Amendment Paper
HL Bill 30(e) Amendments for Grand Committee
7th July 2022
Amendment Paper
HL Bill 30(d) Amendment for Grand Committee
5th July 2022
Amendment Paper
HL Bill 30(c) Amendment for Grand Committee
4th July 2022
Amendment Paper
HL Bill 30(b) Amendments for Grand Committee
29th June 2022
Amendment Paper
HL Bill 30(a) Amendment for Grand Committee
28th June 2022
2nd reading: Minutes of Proceedings (Lords)
28th June 2022
2nd reading (Lords)
23rd June 2022
Briefing papers
Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill
14th June 2022
1st reading: Minutes of Proceedings (Lords)
14th June 2022
1st reading (Lords)
14th June 2022
Delegated Powers Memorandum
Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill: Delegated Powers Memorandum
14th June 2022
Explanatory Notes
HL Bill 30 Explanatory Notes
14th June 2022
Bill
HL Bill 30 (as brought from the Commons)
14th June 2022
Human rights memorandum
Supplementary ECHR memorandum from the Department of Education
14th June 2022
Impact Assessments
Updated Impact Assessment
13th June 2022
3rd reading (Commons)
13th June 2022
Report stage (Commons)
13th June 2022
Amendment Paper
Consideration of Bill Amendments as at 13 June 2022
13th June 2022
Bill proceedings: Commons
Report Stage Proceedings as at 13 June 2022
13th June 2022
Selection of amendments: Commons
Speaker’s provisional grouping and selection of Amendments - 13th June 2022
10th June 2022
Amendment Paper
Notices of Amendments as at 10 June 2022
9th June 2022
Amendment Paper
Notices of Amendments as at 9 June 2022
7th June 2022
Amendment Paper
Notices of Amendments as at 7 June 2022
12th May 2022
Amendment Paper
Notices of Amendments as at 12 May 2022
11th May 2022
2nd reading (Commons)
11th May 2022
1st reading (Commons)
11th May 2022
Bill
Bill 001 2022-23 (as introduced)
11th May 2022
Human rights memorandum
ECHR memorandum from the Department of Education (Carry Over)
11th May 2022
Delegated Powers Memorandum
Delegated Powers Memorandum from the Department for Education (Carry Over)
11th May 2022
Explanatory Notes
Bill 001 EN 2022-23
9th May 2022
Impact Assessments
Impact Assessment
25th April 2022
Carry-over motionCarry-over Motion
12th January 2022
Amendment Paper
Notices of Amendments as at 12 January 2022
4th October 2021
Tracked changes versions of Bills: Commons
Bill showing changes after Committee stage
23rd September 2021
Bill
Bill 167 2021-22 (As Amended in Public Bill Committee)
23rd September 2021
Written evidence
Written evidence submitted by HOPE not hate (HEFSB27)
23rd September 2021
Written evidence
Written evidence submitted by the Association of Colleges (HEFSB26)
23rd September 2021
Written evidence
Written evidence submitted by Durham Students' Union (HEFSB25)
23rd September 2021
Written evidence
Written evidence submitted by Birkbeck Students' Union (HEFSB24)
23rd September 2021
Bill proceedings: Commons
All proceedings up to 22 September 2021 at Public Bill Committee Stage
23rd September 2021
Written evidence
Written evidence submitted by Professor John Heathershaw (Professor of International Relations, University of Exeter); Dr Tena Prelec (Research Fellow, Department of Politics and International Relations at University of Oxford); Professor Alex Cooley (Professor of Political Science, Barnard College / Columbia University); Aleksandra Stankova (Project Manager, University of Exeter) (HEFSB23)
22nd September 2021
Committee stage (Commons)
22nd September 2021
Amendment Paper
Public Bill Committee Amendments as at 22 September 2021
22nd September 2021
Selection of amendments: Commons
Chair’s provisional selection and grouping of amendments in Committee - 22 September
22nd September 2021
Committee Debate
Committee Debates: 11th sitting
22nd September 2021
Committee Debate
Committee Debates: 12th sitting
22nd September 2021
Committee Debate
Committee Debates: compilation pdf of sittings so far
21st September 2021
Amendment Paper
Notices of Amendments as at 21 September 2021
20th September 2021
Committee stage (Commons)
20th September 2021
Amendment Paper
Public Bill Committee Amendments as at 20 September 2021
20th September 2021
Selection of amendments: Commons
Chair’s provisional selection and grouping of amendments in Committee
20th September 2021
Committee Debate
Committee Debates: 9th sitting
20th September 2021
Committee Debate
Committee Debates: 10th sitting
17th September 2021
Amendment Paper
Notices of Amendments as at 17 September 2021
17th September 2021
Written evidence
Written evidence submitted by the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education (HEFSB20)
17th September 2021
Written evidence
Written evidence submitted by Professor Dennis Hayes, Director, Academics for Academic Freedom (HEFSB21)
17th September 2021
Written evidence
Written evidence submitted by Dr David Merry, Research Fellow, University of Nottingham (HEFSB22)
16th September 2021
Committee stage (Commons)
16th September 2021
Written evidence
Written evidence submitted by Free Churches Group of England and Wales (HEFSB10)
16th September 2021
Written evidence
Written evidence submitted by Professor Kathleen Stock OBE, Philosophy, University of Sussex (HEFSB11)
16th September 2021
Written evidence
Written evidence submitted by Dr David Renton, barrister, and Professor Alison Scott-Baumann, SOAS, SOAS ICOP project (HEFSB12)
16th September 2021
Written evidence
Written evidence submitted by the Executive Committee of Beds SU, University of Bedfordshire (HEFSB14)
16th September 2021
Written evidence
Written evidence submitted by George Sullivan, Union Development Officer, The University of Nottingham Students' Union (HEFSB15)
16th September 2021
Written evidence
Written evidence submitted by the National Union of Students UK and the National Union of Students Charity (HEFSB18)
16th September 2021
Written evidence
Written evidence submitted by Smita Jamdar, Partner & Head of Education, Shakespeare Martineau (supplementary) (HEFSB19)
16th September 2021
Written evidence
Written evidence submitted by Professor Eric Kaufmann, Professor of Politics, Birkbeck College, University of London (HEFSB17)
16th September 2021
Amendment Paper
Public Bill Committee Amendments as at 16 September 2021
16th September 2021
Selection of amendments: Commons
Chair’s provisional selection and grouping of amendments in Committee
16th September 2021
Committee Debate
Committee Debates: 7th sitting
16th September 2021
Committee Debate
Committee Debates: 8th sitting
16th September 2021
Written evidence
Written evidence submitted by Sheffield Hallam University (HEFSB16)
16th September 2021
Written evidence
Written evidence submitted by The Russell Group (HEFSB13)
15th September 2021
Committee stage (Commons)
15th September 2021
Amendment Paper
Public Bill Committee Amendments as at 15 September 2021
15th September 2021
Committee Debate
Committee Debates: 5th sitting
15th September 2021
Committee Debate
Committee Debates: 6th sitting
14th September 2021
Amendment Paper
Notices of Amendments as at 14 September 2021
14th September 2021
Selection of amendments: Commons
Chair’s provisional grouping and selection of Amendments
13th September 2021
Committee stage (Commons)
13th September 2021
Committee Debate
Committee Debates: 4th sitting
13th September 2021
Written evidence
Written evidence submitted by the University of Cambridge (HEFSB05)
13th September 2021
Amendment Paper
Public Bill Committee Amendments as at 13 September 2021
13th September 2021
Written evidence
Written evidence submitted by Universities UK (HEFSB07)
13th September 2021
Written evidence
Written evidence submitted by Taylor Vinters LLP (HEFSB04)
13th September 2021
Written evidence
Written evidence submitted by Professor Nigel Biggar, CBE, Regius Professor of Moral and Pastoral Theology, University of Oxford (HEFSB03)
13th September 2021
Written evidence
Written evidence submitted by the Free Speech Union (HEFSB09)
13th September 2021
Committee Debate
Committee Debates: 3rd sitting
13th September 2021
Written evidence
Written evidence submitted by Professor Ross Anderson FRS FREng, Professor of Security Engineering, Cambridge University and Edinburgh University (HEFSB08)
13th September 2021
Written evidence
Written evidence submitted by Arif Ahmed MBE, Reader in Philosophy (and Fellow of Gonville and Caius College), University of Cambridge (HEFSB06)
13th September 2021
Written evidence
Written evidence submitted by Jim Dickinson, Wonkhe (HEFSB02)
13th September 2021
Written evidence
Written evidence submitted by Benjamin Marler, Founder and Vice President of the Debate Society, Union of Students, University of Derby (HEFSB01)
9th September 2021
Amendment Paper
Notices of Amendments as at 9 September 2021
8th September 2021
Amendment Paper
Notices of Amendments as at 8 September 2021
7th September 2021
Committee stage (Commons)
7th September 2021
Amendment Paper
Public Bill Committee Amendments as at 7 September 2021
7th September 2021
Committee Debate
Committee Debates: 2nd sitting
7th September 2021
Committee Debate
Committee Debates: 1st sitting
6th September 2021
Amendment Paper
Notices of Amendments as at 6 September 2021
14th July 2021
Amendment Paper
Notices of Amendments as at 14 July 2021
13th July 2021
Press notices
Have your say on the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill
12th July 2021
2nd reading (Commons)
12th July 2021
Ways and Means resolution
5th July 2021
Briefing papers
Briefing Paper on Second Reading
20th May 2021
Human rights memorandum
ECHR memorandum from the Department of Education
12th May 2021
1st reading (Commons)
12th May 2021
Impact Assessments
Impact Assessment
12th May 2021
Explanatory Notes
Bill 012 EN 2021-22
12th May 2021
Delegated Powers Memorandum
Memorandum from the Department for Education
12th May 2021
Relevant documents
Higher education: free speech and academic freedom - report by the Department for Education
12th May 2021
Bill
Bill 012 2021-22 (as introduced)