Research on the increasing cost of living and inflation
House of Commons Library publications on the rising cost of living in the UK, including causes of inflation, the effect on households, and Government support.

This briefing sets out the legal framework for freedom of speech in higher education, outlines some of the issues, and explains the Government’s proposals for change from its February 2021 policy paper.
Freedom of speech in universities (833 KB , PDF)
Since this Research Briefing was published, the Government has introduced the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill, which strengthens and extends existing legislation on freedom of speech and academic freedom in higher education. The Bill is discussed in the following Library briefings:
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The debate around freedom of speech in universities has become increasingly heated in recent years, in part due to a small number of high-profile incidents involving the banning of well-known speakers from campuses. Concerns have also been raised about universities allegedly curtailing freedom of speech through ‘no-platform’ policies and ‘safe spaces’, and by permitting a general atmosphere of intolerance towards differing opinions.
There is some evidence to suggest some staff and students of all political persuasions self-censor their views on campus and online, but research has found most UK students do not think free speech nor academic freedom is under threat in their university.
Official figures by the Office for Students show that only a tiny proportion of events or speakers on university campuses have been cancelled in recent years, and these incidents have occurred at only a very small number of HEPs.
The legal framework around freedom of speech is complicated. The Education (No. 2) Act 1986 section 43(1) requires higher education establishments to take reasonably practicable steps to ensure freedom of speech is protected, while the Education Reform Act 1988 s202 protects academic inquiry. But freedom of speech is only protected within the law and certain statutory duties such as the Prevent Duty and public order legislation may curtail freedom of speech.
The Conservative election manifesto 2019 contained a commitment to “strengthen academic freedom and free speech in universities and continue to focus on raising standards.” On 17 February 2021, the Government published a policy paper containing proposals to strengthen freedom of speech in higher education. The paper proposed:
There has been a lot of comment on these proposals from the higher education sector. Many of the responses stated universities are committed to free speech and questioned the Government’s decision to focus on this issue at a time when staff and students are coping with the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Freedom of speech in universities (833 KB , PDF)
House of Commons Library publications on the rising cost of living in the UK, including causes of inflation, the effect on households, and Government support.
Find out how to complain about schools in general, school admissions, exclusions and special educational needs provision.
A Westminster Hall debate on the International Day of Education is scheduled for Thursday 26 January 2023, from 1.30pm to 3.00pm. The debate will be led by Vicky Ford MP.