Universities: Freedom of Speech

Department for Education written question – answered at on 17 December 2018.

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Photo of Chris Davies Chris Davies Conservative, Brecon and Radnorshire

What steps his Department is taking to support freedom of speech in universities.

Photo of Chris Skidmore Chris Skidmore Vice-Chair, Conservative Party, Minister of State (Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy) (Universities and Science) (Joint with the Department for Education)

The government is deeply committed to protecting freedom of speech in Higher Education (HE). The Equality and Human Rights Commission and key partners in the HE sector worked with the previous Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation to develop a single piece of guidance which will set out key principles. This will enable universities and student unions to understand their obligations for protecting and supporting free speech.

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