Thank you for contacting me about racism and freedom of speech in our universities.
Racism is abhorrent and there is no place in our society - including within higher education – for any form of harassment or discrimination. Universities are expected to take their responsibilities, including those under the Equality Act 2010, seriously, helping ensure that higher education is a genuinely fulfilling and welcoming experience for everyone. Universities should have robust policies and procedures in place to meet, and balance, their legal obligations effectively and to investigate and swiftly address reports of hate crime, including any anti-semitic incidents that are reported.
With that said, the importance of free speech and academic freedom to a free and democratic society are fundamental. This will inevitably mean the airing of controversial views which some will find uncomfortable, even offensive, to hear. There are, in fact, significant concerns about how well universities are carrying out their legal duties to protect free speech and academic freedom, with numerous cases of individuals being silenced, or on occasion dismissed due to the actions of activist students or academics.
It is for this reason that I am delighted that Ministers have announced tougher legal measures to strengthen free speech and academic freedom at universities through the introduction of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill. The Bill proposes new measures including a new free speech condition placed on higher education providers and any breaches of this breaches of the condition could result in sanctions by the regulator, the Office for Students. In addition, the Bill will enable individuals to seek compensation through the courts if they suffer loss as a consequence of a breach of these new free speech duties - such as being expelled, dismissed or demoted. I particularly welcome proposals to establish a Free Speech and Academic Freedom Champion to investigate possible infringements, such as no-platforming speakers or dismissal of academics.
I will be sure to follow the progress of these proposals very carefully.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
