The College is required by law to outline principles for its members in relation to their right to freedom of speech in the context of other legal responsibilities of the College.
The 2024 College Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech takes into account the specific legal responsibilities, as set out in Section 43 of the Education (No 2) Act 1986, the Human Rights Act 1998, the Equality Act 2010, the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 and the Higher Education and Research Act 2017 (as amended by the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023).
On 26 July 2024, the Secretary of State for Education announced that the HE (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 would not come into force as planned on 1 August 2024, and that options would be considered going forward, which could include the amendment or repeal of the Act. In light of this announcement, the College’s current statement takes effect from September 2024.
Other work is paused pending further clarity, and consideration will be given in due course as to whether any changes already implemented should be amended.