The government has announced plans to reintroduce legislation to protect freedom of speech on university campuses.
Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, amended The Freedom of Speech Act 2023, when it was paused last summer after Labour came into power.
Previously, the act had proposed fines for Universities failing to uphold freedom of speech after being proposed by the Conservative Government in 2023.
However, days before it was due to take effect last July, Phillipson paused the law after concerns that it could be protecting those using hate speech on campus and rendering universities to expensive legal action.
Shadow Education secretary, Laura Trott, labelled the changes as a “wrecking ball” for the removal of the threat of legal action towards Universities who have breached free speech duties.
Bridget Phillipson announced that: “these changes protect free speech but avoid implementing excessive and burdensome provisions which could have exposed struggling universities to disproportionate costs, diverting money away from students to pay lawyers.”
This revision comes soon after the University of Sheffield’s announcement to carry out redundancies last December following a £50 million deficit, despite an £248,000 increase on security for pro-Palestine protests; This is notable given concerns that implementing freedom of speech legislation could impose additional financial burdens on universities.
The University is not alone in its financial struggles as Universities like Cardiff, Dundee and Kent have recently faced job cuts in order to save money.
It raises questions if Phillipson’s concerns of “struggling universities” paying out high sums for lawyers negate the protection of free speech in higher education.
In the University of Sheffield’s code of practice on Freedom of Speech and Academic Freedom it states: “Freedom of speech and academic freedom are fundamental to the University of Sheffield’s research, teaching and other academic activities.”
Although, the University “also outlines the exceptional circumstances where it may be reasonable for the University to conclude that this general expectation does not apply. An example would be where the views likely to be expressed by a speaker will be contrary to the law.”
A University of Sheffield spokesperson said: “We have a responsibility to maintain a safe, effective, and welcoming environment for everyone and have been clear that protests should not disrupt any teaching, events or university Business, or intimidate students, staff and visitors.”
image credit:pexels-kamboompics.com
