Universities: Freedom of Expression

(asked on 14th March 2018) - View Source

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to tackle no platform practices at universities.


Answered by
Sam Gyimah Portrait
Sam Gyimah
This question was answered on 22nd March 2018

The government does not support blanket no-platforming of individuals or organisations who are legally exercising their right to freedom of speech.

Universities have a legal duty to take reasonable steps to ensure freedom of speech, including for visiting speakers under the Education Act (No 2) 1986. We extended this duty through the Higher Education and Research Act to cover all providers registered with the Office for Students.

The Office for Students will also play a role in championing free speech, which is built into its regulatory framework.

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