New Leftist British government to roll back free speech laws

Controversial new powers for universities and student unions to be fined for failing to uphold freedom of speech have been put on hold by the government.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said that would allow time to consider whether the law, which was due to come into force next week, would be repealed.

In the statement to parliament, Ms Phillipson also said the regulator, the Office for Students (OfS) should be “more sharply focused” on the financial stability of universities.

A review of the OfS, also released on Friday, says the government and regulator should offer support and guidance to universities struggling financially.

The Higher Education Freedom of Speech Act, which was passed last year, said universities had a duty to “secure” and “promote the importance of” freedom of speech and academic expression.

It would have allowed the OfS to fine or give sanctions to higher education providers and student unions in England from next week.

It also included a new complaints scheme for students, staff and visiting speakers, who could seek compensation if they suffer from a breach of a university’s free- speech obligations.

But a government source told the BBC the legislation would have opened the way for Holocaust deniers to be allowed on campus, and was an “anti-semite charter”.

Under pre-existing legislation, universities will still have a legal duty to uphold freedom of speech.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cv2gj1x11nmo

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