Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent progress her Department has made on implementing the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

On 28 April, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, signed commencement regulations, bringing the following provisions into force on 1 August 2025:

• Duties on higher education (HE) providers (and their constituent institutions) to take reasonably practicable steps to secure freedom of speech within the law, to put in place a code of practice on freedom of speech and academic freedom, and to promote freedom of speech.
• The ban on non-disclosure agreements for staff and students at HE providers in cases of bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct.
• The duties on the Office for Students (OfS) to promote freedom of speech and the power to identify good practice and advise HE providers on it.

We are seeking a suitable legislative vehicle to amend and repeal other elements of the Act in due course, including in relation to the complaints scheme.

In the meantime, the OfS published its regulatory guidance on free speech on 19 June 2025. The OfS Director for Freedom of Speech and Academic Freedom continues to work with the sector to offer advice and share best practice, so providers themselves are more effectively protecting free speech and academic freedom.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the answer of 26 November 2025 to Question 92757, what steps he is taking to ensure sufficient capacity to meet the anticipated additional demand; and whether those improvements will be in place prior to implementation of the Renters' Rights Act 2025.

Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

To prepare for the anticipated demands of the Renters’ Rights Act, we have launched a significant programme of work. This includes recruiting additional administrative staff, establishing a centralised operational hub, and updating our operational processes to improve efficiency. We are also ensuring the availability of suitable estates capacity for hearings and enhancing our technology systems to support the increased workload. We expect these measures to be in place in time for implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act.

We are maintaining investment in the annual recruitment of around 1,000 judges and tribunal members across all courts and tribunals, with specific recruitment for the judges and members needed for the Property Chamber. Further recruitment in 2026 is planned.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 26 November 2025 to Question 92754, what planned improvements he has discussed with the Secretary of State for Justice to ensure readiness; and whether those improvements will be in place prior to implementation of the Renters' Rights Act 2025.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

My Department continues to work closely with the Ministry of Justice and HM Courts and Tribunal Service to ensure that the justice system is well prepared for the implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act. This includes ensuring that suitable arrangements are in place for monitoring data relating to rent increase challenges in the Residential Property Tribunal.