Select Committee · Human Rights (Joint Committee)

Freedom of Speech in Universities inquiry

Status: Closed Opened: 15 Nov 2017 Closed: 24 May 2018 3 reports

Inquiry scope

The Committee found that a number of factors are limiting free speech including: intolerant attitudes, often incorrectly using the banner of “no platforming” and “safe-space” policies; incidents of unacceptable intimidatory behaviour by protestors intent on preventing free speech and debate; unnecessary bureaucracy imposed on those organising events; fear and confusion over what the Prevent duty entails; regulatory complexity; unduly complicated and cautious guidance from the Charity Commission; concern by student unions not to infringe what they perceive to be restrictions. The Committee has examined the impact of these factors. Responses published Read the report: Freedom of Speech in Universities: Responses Read the report: Freedom of Speech in Universities: Responses (PDF)

Reports

3 reports

8th Report - Freedom of Speech in Universities: Responses

HC No.: HC 1279
Published: 13 Jul 2018
Items: 0
Response: No response document linked

4th Report - Freedom of Speech in Universities

HC No.: HC 589
Published: 27 Mar 2018
Items: 0
Response: No response document linked

Annex: Free speech: guidance for universities and students organising events

HC No.: HC 589
Published: 27 Mar 2018
Items: 0
Response: No response document linked

Oral evidence sessions

8 sessions

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Date	Session and witnesses	Source
7 Feb 2018	Oral evidence session No witnesses recorded	View ↗
24 Jan 2018	Oral evidence session No witnesses recorded	View ↗
17 Jan 2018	Oral evidence session No witnesses recorded	View ↗
10 Jan 2018	Oral evidence session No witnesses recorded	View ↗
13 Dec 2017	Oral evidence session No witnesses recorded	View ↗
6 Dec 2017	Oral evidence session No witnesses recorded	View ↗
29 Nov 2017	Oral evidence session No witnesses recorded	View ↗
15 Nov 2017	Oral evidence session No witnesses recorded	View ↗

Correspondence

2 letters

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Published	Direction	Letter
17 May 2018	To committee	Letter from Minister of State for Universities to the Chair regarding free speech summit, dated 16 May 2018
17 May 2018	To committee	Letter from Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation, regarding a free speech summit, dated 16 May 2018