AoC pleased to see ministerial statement to stop the implementation of HE Freedom of Speech Act 2023

David Hughes, Chief Executive, Association of Colleges said: "I'm pleased to see today’s ministerial statement to stop implementation of the Higher Education Freedom of Speech Act 2023 in order to consider options, including potentially its repeal.

"While we are committed to the principles of free speech and academic freedom, colleges had serious concerns about how this legislation would work for college higher education students and about the disproportionate burden on further education colleges and their student unions. There is unhelpful confusion about the overlap with other college duties to their students and staff which I am confident that new ministers will take into account."