Universities Ordered to Protect Student Free Speech Rights

Universities in England must not impose blanket bans on student protests, according to new guidance issued by the Office for Students (OfS). The move marks a significant shift in campus policy and aims to ensure lawful free speech is upheld across higher education institutions.

The guidance comes ahead of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act, which is due to come into force this August. The legislation will require universities and colleges to actively protect and promote freedom of expression for students, staff, and visiting speakers - including the right to protest, provided it remains lawful.

The OfS guidance specifically warns institutions against pre-emptively cancelling or restricting protests based on the assumption that they may lead to disruption. While universities retain the responsibility to maintain order and safety on campus, they must now strike a careful balance between that duty and their legal obligation to protect freedom of speech.

This update comes amid growing national debate over the limits of protest on university grounds, especially in light of recent campus demonstrations on geopolitical and social issues.

The Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act will also introduce new accountability measures, including the possibility of legal claims against institutions found to have breached their duties under the legislation.

The OfS says the guidance is intended to provide clarity and reinforce the principle that universities should remain spaces for open and robust debate, where differing views can be expressed without fear of censorship.