✓ Passed into LawLords
UK Parliament · Bill
Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023
Summary
This Act requires UK universities to protect and promote freedom of speech on campus. It stops universities from easily banning speakers or punishing people for their views, and creates a new role to investigate complaints when free speech is restricted.
A vote to support means
- —Supporting this Act means believing that universities should protect freedom of speech for students and staff. Supporters argue it prevents universities from cancelling speakers or punishing people for unpopular opinions, allowing open debate and diverse ideas to flourish.
A vote to oppose means
- —Critics worry the Act could force universities to host speakers whose views are offensive or harmful to certain groups. They argue it prioritizes free speech over protecting students from discrimination or harassment, and may discourage marginalized groups from attending university.
Cast Your Vote
People's Vote4 votes
100% Support · 40% Oppose · 0
Parliament's Vote583 MPs
37% Ayes · 21663% Noes · 367
Democratic Gap
63% — Large gap
Outcome mismatch — the public would pass this bill, but Parliament rejected it
Bill Passage
Commons
- 1st reading12 May 2021
- 2nd reading12 Jul 2021
- Committee stage7 Sept 2021
- 1st reading11 May 2022
- 2nd reading11 May 2022
- Report stage13 Jun 2022
- 3rd reading13 Jun 2022
Lords
- 1st reading14 Jun 2022
- 2nd reading28 Jun 2022
- Committee stage31 Oct 2022
- Report stage7 Dec 2022
- 3rd reading13 Dec 2022
Royal Assent11 May 2023
Full Bill Description(click to expand)
No description available