Petition · past parliament · Department for Education

Do not impose new free speech conditions on higher education

Closed 44 signatures

What the petition asks

The Government should scrap plans to impose new restrictions on universities under the premise of strengthening free speech and academic freedom, which could impinge on the ability of universities and student unions to make their own decisions about speakers and course content.
Universities are established, independent institutions with administrative processes already in place to make decisions on all of these issues, and are already held to national laws regarding discipline, dismissal and censorship.
Imposing new conditions on universities will restrict their independence, and could seriously harm the higher education sector if they are enacted.

Timeline

8 Mar 2021 Petition opened for signatures
8 Sep 2021 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 44
Status Closed
Department Department for Education
Opened 8 Mar 2021
Closed 8 Sep 2021

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.