Labour MP Jess Phillips said changes are required to proposed legislation to ensure non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) or confidentiality agreements do not inhibit the freedom of speech of those affected.
During a Parliamentary debate on Monday, Phillips singled out that students were being silenced by universities from speaking about the sexual abuse they have faced.
But a long-time academic freedom campaigner said he was also concerned over the wider battle over free speech, and said that a major cultural change is needed rather than a legislative solution, arguing that new laws will not make academics more confident about speaking up.
Free speech laws on university campuses will now be scrutinised in the House of Lords after the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill completed its initial progress on Monday through the House of Commons. The government has said there is a need for legislation “with teeth” that’ll safeguard free speech at university campuses….