Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023
The Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 has received Royal Assent and is now an Act of Parliament.
- Royal Assent
- Gavin Williamson
- 12 May 2021
- 3 October 2024
What the bill does
A Bill to make provision in relation to freedom of speech and academic freedom in higher education institutions and in students’ unions; and for connected purposes.
Progress through Parliament
- 1st reading12 MAY 2021 · COMMONS
- 2nd reading12 JUL 2021 · COMMONS
- Ways and Means resolution12 JUL 2021 · COMMONS
- Committee stage7 SEP 2021 · COMMONS
- Carry-over motion25 APR 2022 · COMMONS
- Report stage13 JUN 2022 · COMMONS
- 3rd reading13 JUN 2022 · COMMONS
- Programme motion7 FEB 2023 · COMMONS
- Consideration of Lords amendments7 FEB 2023 · COMMONS
- Consideration of Commons amendments and / or reasons21 MAR 2023 · LORDS
- Consideration of Lords message2 MAY 2023 · COMMONS
- Royal Assent (current stage)11 MAY 2023 · UNASSIGNED
What Royal Assent means, and what happens next
The bill has received Royal Assent and is now an Act of Parliament.
Its provisions come into force on the date the Act specifies, which may be immediately, on a set date, or when a minister makes a commencement order.
Read the full guide to this stage: What happens at Royal Assent
Official bill page on parliament.uk
Questions about the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023
- What stage is the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 at?
- The Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 has received Royal Assent and is now an Act of Parliament.
- Has the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 become law?
- Yes. The Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 has received Royal Assent and is now an Act of Parliament.
- Who sponsored the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023?
- The Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 was sponsored by Gavin Williamson.
- When was the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 introduced?
- It was introduced to Parliament on 12 May 2021, at first reading.
Other bills at Royal Assent
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- National Security (State Threats) Act 2026 · Shabana Mahmood
- Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Act 2026 · Rachel Reeves
- Supply and Appropriation (Main Estimates) Act 2026 · Dan Tomlinson
- Non-Domestic Rating (Multipliers and Private Schools) Act · Angela Rayner
- Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 · Bridget Phillipson
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