Secretary of State for Education Gavin Williamson returns to Downing Street from a weekly cabinet meeting held at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), in London, England, 3 November 2020, David Cliff/NurPhoto via Getty Images The extent to which there is a growing trend of intolerance to speech at universities is unclear. On campuses, freedom of expression issues are best dealt with by existing legislation and by the universities and Student Unions themselves.
This statement was originally published on article19.org on 11 May 2021.
The Queen’s Speech on 11 May set out the United Kingdom Government’s plans for the next parliament, which included changes in voting practices, increased powers for police, and a bill focusing on academic freedom.
Index shares its concerns about the Academic Freedom Bill
In response to today s Queen s speech, Index, English PEN and Article 19 have written to the Education Secretary
11 May 2021
Department for Education
Dear Secretary of State,
As organisations specialising in freedom of expression, we are writing to you to voice our significant concerns regarding the announcement of the Academic Freedom Bill in today’s Queen’s Speech.
There is an important discussion to be had around the state of freedom of expression in the UK’s universities. Hostile powers have felt increasingly emboldened to investigate and even sanction critical academics. Academics are having to both change their curricula and their method of teaching due to external pressures. Universities that fail to comply with government orders have had their sources of funding threatened.
United Kingdom: Academic Freedom Bill could have a chilling effect
Guild of Students, University of Birmingham. Photo: Elliott Brown
The Queen’s Speech on 11 May set out the United Kingdom Government’s plans for the next parliament, which included changes in voting practices, increased powers for police, and a bill focusing on academic freedom.
ARTICLE 19 joined Index on Censorship and English PEN in drawing attention to Academic Freedom Bill, which, if passed, could impact on free expression in universities.
The joint letter to Secretary of State for Education Gavin Williamson MP follows.
11 May 2021
As organisations specialising in freedom of expression, we are writing to you to voice our significant concerns regarding the announcement of the Academic Freedom Bill in today’s Queen’s Speech.