Labour set to reintroduce university ‘free speech’ law despite hate speech concerns

The Labour government is expected to reintroduce a divisive university ‘free speech’ law, despite concerns over hate speech on campuses.

The Higher Education Freedom of Speech Act was passed under the Conservative government in 2023 and gave powers to the Office for Students (OfS) to fine universities, higher education providers and student unions for failing to uphold free speech. It also offered a complaints scheme for students, staff and visiting speakers who felt they had been prevented from expressing free speech.

It came after a number of high profile student protests over controversial campus speakers, such as gender-critical academic Kathleen Stock, who was invited to speak at invited to speak at the Oxford Union. Stock’s appearance saw condemnation from various Oxford colleges and more than 100 Oxford academics, violent death threats sent

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