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The full bill · Parliament publications

Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023

The bill’s formal description, sponsors and the full list of documents Parliament has published for it, bill text at each stage, Explanatory Notes, Impact Assessments, amendment papers, written evidence and committee reports.

Long title · Parliament’s official description

A Bill to make provision in relation to freedom of speech and academic freedom in higher education institutions and in students’ unions; and for connected purposes.

Sponsors · 3

  • Gavin WilliamsonConservativeSouth Staffordshire
  • Nadhim ZahawiConservativeStratford-on-Avon
  • Earl HoweConservativeExcepted Hereditary

Bill · 11

  • HL Bill 134 Commons Disagreement and Amendment in LieuLords
    3 May 2023· 109 KB
  • Bill 279 2022-23 (Lords non-insistence and amendments to the words so restored to the Bill)Commons
    23 Mar 2023
  • HL Bill 104 Commons Disagreement and ReasonLords
    8 Feb 2023· 81 KB
  • Bill 219 2022-23 (Lords Amendments)Commons
    14 Dec 2022
  • HL Bill 79 (as amended on Report)Lords
    7 Dec 2022· 171 KB
  • HL Bill 30 (as brought from the Commons)Lords
    14 Jun 2022· 214 KB
  • Bill 001 2022-23 (as introduced)Commons
    11 May 2022
  • Bill 001 2022-23 (as introduced) - large printCommons
    11 May 2022
  • Bill 167 2021-22 (As Amended in Public Bill Committee)Commons
    23 Sept 2021
  • Bill 012 2021-22 (as introduced)Commons
    12 May 2021· 175 KB
  • Bill 012 2021-22 (as introduced) - large printCommons
    12 May 2021· 270 KB

Explanatory Notes · 6

  • Bill 219 EN 2022-23Commons
    14 Dec 2022
  • HL Bill 30 Explanatory NotesLords
    14 Jun 2022· 354 KB
  • Bill 001 EN 2022-23Commons
    11 May 2022
  • Bill 001 EN 2022-23 - large printCommons
    11 May 2022
  • Bill 012 EN 2021-22Commons
    12 May 2021· 327 KB
  • Bill 012 EN 2021-22 - large printCommons
    12 May 2021· 269 KB

Impact Assessments · 3

  • Updated Impact AssessmentUnassigned
    14 Jun 2022· 591 KB
  • Impact AssessmentUnassigned
    9 May 2022· 541 KB
  • Impact AssessmentUnassigned
    12 May 2021· 547 KB

Delegated Powers Memorandum · 3

  • Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill: Delegated Powers MemorandumLords
    14 Jun 2022· 161 KB
  • Delegated Powers Memorandum from the Department for Education (Carry Over)Commons
    11 May 2022
  • Memorandum from the Department for EducationCommons
    12 May 2021· 132 KB

Human rights memorandum · 3

  • Supplementary ECHR memorandum from the Department of EducationCommons
    14 Jun 2022· 154 KB
  • ECHR memorandum from the Department of Education (Carry Over)Commons
    11 May 2022
  • ECHR memorandum from the Department of EducationCommons
    20 May 2021

Briefing papers · 3

  • Briefing Paper on progress of the BillCommons
    27 Mar 2023
  • Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) BillLords
    23 Jun 2022
  • Briefing Paper on Second ReadingCommons
    5 Jul 2021

Amendment Paper · 52

  • HL Bill 134-I Marshalled list for Consideration of a Commons Reason and AmendmentLords
    9 May 2023· 96 KB
  • Commons Consideration of Lords Message as at 2 May 2023Commons
    2 May 2023
  • Notices of CCLM Amendments as at 28 April 2023Commons
    28 Apr 2023
  • Notices of CCLM Amendments as at 30 March 2023Commons
    30 Mar 2023
  • HL Bill 104-I Marshalled list for Consideration of a Commons ReasonLords
    20 Mar 2023· 93 KB
  • HL Bill 104(a) Motions for Consideration of a Commons ReasonLords
    17 Mar 2023· 89 KB
  • Commons Consideration of Lords Amendments as at 7 February 2023Commons
    7 Feb 2023
  • HL Bill 30-R-I Marshalled list for ReportLords
    5 Dec 2022· 106 KB
  • HL Bill 30-R(f) Amendment for ReportLords
    2 Dec 2022· 62 KB
  • HL Bill 30-R(e) Amendment for ReportLords
    1 Dec 2022· 66 KB
  • HL Bill 30-R(d) Amendments for ReportLords
    30 Nov 2022· 81 KB
  • HL Bill 30-R(c) Amendments for ReportLords
    28 Nov 2022· 72 KB
  • HL Bill 30-R(b) Amendments for ReportLords
    21 Nov 2022· 69 KB
  • HL Bill 30-R(a) Amendments for ReportLords
    15 Nov 2022· 67 KB
  • HL Bill 30-III Third marshalled list for CommitteeLords
    10 Nov 2022· 105 KB
  • HL Bill 30-II Second marshalled list for Grand CommitteeLords
    31 Oct 2022· 133 KB
  • HL Bill 30-I Marshalled list for Grand CommitteeLords
    27 Oct 2022· 138 KB
  • HL Bill 30(o) Amendment for Grand CommitteeLords
    26 Oct 2022· 43 KB
  • HL Bill 30(n) Amendments for Grand CommitteeLords
    25 Oct 2022· 77 KB
  • HL Bill 30(m) Amendments for Grand CommitteeLords
    20 Oct 2022· 71 KB
  • HL Bill 30(l) Amendment for Grand CommitteeLords
    18 Oct 2022· 45 KB
  • HL Bill 30(k) Amendments for Grand CommitteeLords
    17 Oct 2022· 50 KB
  • HL Bill 30(j) Amendments for Grand CommitteeLords
    11 Oct 2022· 73 KB
  • HL Bill 30(i) Amendments for Grand CommitteeLords
    6 Oct 2022· 78 KB
  • HL Bill 30(h) Amendments for Grand CommitteeLords
    30 Sept 2022· 82 KB
  • HL Bill 30(g) Amendments for Grand CommitteeLords
    28 Sept 2022· 66 KB
  • HL Bill 30(f) Amendments for Grand CommitteeLords
    26 Sept 2022· 77 KB
  • HL Bill 30(e) Amendments for Grand CommitteeLords
    8 Sept 2022· 67 KB
  • HL Bill 30(d) Amendment for Grand CommitteeLords
    7 Jul 2022· 46 KB
  • HL Bill 30(c) Amendment for Grand CommitteeLords
    5 Jul 2022· 59 KB
  • HL Bill 30(b) Amendments for Grand CommitteeLords
    4 Jul 2022· 51 KB
  • HL Bill 30(a) Amendment for Grand CommitteeLords
    29 Jun 2022· 65 KB
  • Consideration of Bill Amendments as at 13 June 2022Commons
    13 Jun 2022
  • Consideration of Bill Amendments as at 13 June 2022 - large printCommons
    13 Jun 2022
  • Notices of Amendments as at 10 June 2022Commons
    10 Jun 2022
  • Notices of Amendments as at 9 June 2022Commons
    9 Jun 2022
  • Notices of Amendments as at 7 June 2022Commons
    7 Jun 2022
  • Notices of Amendments as at 12 May 2022Commons
    12 May 2022
  • Notices of Amendments as at 12 January 2022Commons
    12 Jan 2022
  • Public Bill Committee Amendments as at 22 September 2021Commons
    22 Sept 2021
  • Notices of Amendments as at 21 September 2021Commons
    21 Sept 2021
  • Public Bill Committee Amendments as at 20 September 2021Commons
    20 Sept 2021
  • Notices of Amendments as at 17 September 2021Commons
    17 Sept 2021
  • Public Bill Committee Amendments as at 16 September 2021Commons
    16 Sept 2021
  • Public Bill Committee Amendments as at 15 September 2021Commons
    15 Sept 2021
  • Notices of Amendments as at 14 September 2021Commons
    14 Sept 2021
  • Public Bill Committee Amendments as at 13 September 2021Commons
    13 Sept 2021
  • Notices of Amendments as at 9 September 2021Commons
    9 Sept 2021
  • Notices of Amendments as at 8 September 2021Commons
    8 Sept 2021
  • Public Bill Committee Amendments as at 7 September 2021Commons
    7 Sept 2021
  • Notices of Amendments as at 6 September 2021Commons
    6 Sept 2021
  • Notices of Amendments as at 14 July 2021Commons
    14 Jul 2021

Bill proceedings: Commons · 4

  • Proceedings on Consideration of Lords Messages as at 2 May 2023Commons
    2 May 2023
  • Proceedings on Consideration of Lords Amendments as at 7 February 2023Commons
    7 Feb 2023
  • Report Stage Proceedings as at 13 June 2022Commons
    13 Jun 2022
  • All proceedings up to 22 September 2021 at Public Bill Committee StageCommons
    23 Sept 2021

Selection of amendments: Commons · 7

  • Grouping of Lords Amendments in Lords Message by Secretary Gillian Keegan and selection of Motion by Mr Speaker - 2 May 2023Commons
    2 May 2023
  • Grouping of Lords Amendments by Secretary Gillian Keegan - 7 February 2023Commons
    7 Feb 2023
  • Speaker’s provisional grouping and selection of Amendments - 13th June 2022Commons
    13 Jun 2022
  • Chair’s provisional selection and grouping of amendments in Committee - 22 SeptemberCommons
    22 Sept 2021
  • Chair’s provisional selection and grouping of amendments in CommitteeCommons
    20 Sept 2021
  • Chair’s provisional selection and grouping of amendments in CommitteeCommons
    16 Sept 2021
  • Chair’s provisional grouping and selection of AmendmentsCommons
    14 Sept 2021

Written evidence · 27

  • 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)Commons
    23 Sept 2021· 301 KB
  • Written evidence submitted by Birkbeck Students' Union (HEFSB24)Commons
    23 Sept 2021
  • Written evidence submitted by Durham Students' Union (HEFSB25)Commons
    23 Sept 2021
  • Written evidence submitted by the Association of Colleges (HEFSB26)Commons
    23 Sept 2021
  • Written evidence submitted by HOPE not hate (HEFSB27)Commons
    23 Sept 2021
  • Written evidence submitted by the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education (HEFSB20)Commons
    17 Sept 2021
  • Written evidence submitted by Professor Dennis Hayes, Director, Academics for Academic Freedom (HEFSB21)Commons
    17 Sept 2021
  • Written evidence submitted by Dr David Merry, Research Fellow, University of Nottingham (HEFSB22)Commons
    17 Sept 2021
  • Written evidence submitted by Free Churches Group of England and Wales (HEFSB10)Commons
    16 Sept 2021
  • Written evidence submitted by Professor Kathleen Stock OBE, Philosophy, University of Sussex (HEFSB11)Commons
    16 Sept 2021
  • Written evidence submitted by Dr David Renton, barrister, and Professor Alison Scott-Baumann, SOAS, SOAS ICOP project (HEFSB12)Commons
    16 Sept 2021
  • Written evidence submitted by The Russell Group (HEFSB13)Commons
    16 Sept 2021· 123 KB
  • Written evidence submitted by the Executive Committee of Beds SU, University of Bedfordshire (HEFSB14)Commons
    16 Sept 2021
  • Written evidence submitted by George Sullivan, Union Development Officer, The University of Nottingham Students' Union (HEFSB15)Commons
    16 Sept 2021
  • Written evidence submitted by Sheffield Hallam University (HEFSB16)Commons
    16 Sept 2021· 213 KB
  • Written evidence submitted by Professor Eric Kaufmann, Professor of Politics, Birkbeck College, University of London (HEFSB17)Commons
    16 Sept 2021· 208 KB
  • Written evidence submitted by the National Union of Students UK and the National Union of Students Charity (HEFSB18)Commons
    16 Sept 2021
  • Written evidence submitted by Smita Jamdar, Partner & Head of Education, Shakespeare Martineau (supplementary) (HEFSB19)Commons
    16 Sept 2021
  • Written evidence submitted by Benjamin Marler, Founder and Vice President of the Debate Society, Union of Students, University of Derby (HEFSB01)Commons
    13 Sept 2021
  • Written evidence submitted by Jim Dickinson, Wonkhe (HEFSB02)Commons
    13 Sept 2021
  • Written evidence submitted by Professor Nigel Biggar, CBE, Regius Professor of Moral and Pastoral Theology, University of Oxford (HEFSB03)Commons
    13 Sept 2021· 184 KB
  • Written evidence submitted by Taylor Vinters LLP (HEFSB04)Commons
    13 Sept 2021· 715 KB
  • Written evidence submitted by the University of Cambridge (HEFSB05)Commons
    13 Sept 2021· 84 KB
  • Written evidence submitted by Arif Ahmed MBE, Reader in Philosophy (and Fellow of Gonville and Caius College), University of Cambridge (HEFSB06)Commons
    13 Sept 2021
  • Written evidence submitted by Universities UK (HEFSB07)Commons
    13 Sept 2021· 199 KB
  • Written evidence submitted by Professor Ross Anderson FRS FREng, Professor of Security Engineering, Cambridge University and Edinburgh University (HEFSB08)Commons
    13 Sept 2021
  • Written evidence submitted by the Free Speech Union (HEFSB09)Commons
    13 Sept 2021· 1.5 MB

Select Committee report · 1

  • 5th Report of the Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform CommitteeLords
    23 Jun 2022

Will write letters · 1

  • 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.Unassigned
    27 Mar 2023

Press notices · 1

  • Have your say on the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) BillCommons
    13 Jul 2021

Act of Parliament · 1

  • Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 (c. 16)Unassigned
    11 May 2023

Relevant documents · 1

  • Higher education: free speech and academic freedom - report by the Department for EducationCommons
    12 May 2021· 1.9 MB

Tracked changes versions of Bills: Commons · 1

  • Bill showing changes after Committee stageCommons
    4 Oct 2021

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