Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill Briefing

Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill

PRIORITIES FOR THE HOUSE OF COMMONS SECOND READING

The Antisemitism Policy Trust welcomes any moves by government to protect and promote free speech. We agree with the Secretary of State for Education, who set out in his departmental policy paper in February 2021 that free speech is fundamental to society, and has been used to stand up to tyranny, injustice and oppression. We also understand government’s concerns about a potential chilling of free speech, particularly on campus, and are aware that Jewish students have faced threats to their safety when trying to assert their rights for free expression. We were not convinced that new legislation was required but now it has been introduced, are keen that it be as effective as possible, and not undermine existing protections against anti-Jewish racism and Holocaust denial. What follows are details of several concerns we hold which we would ask parliamentarians to consider and address as part of the discussion around the Bill.