Universities to face hefty fines if they do not uphold free speech

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Universities could pay fines worth millions of pounds if they fail to protect free speech on their campuses. The new scheme comes into force in the next academic year. Institutions that breach it will be fined £500,000 or 2% of their income, whichever is higher. Education secretary Bridgette Phillipson said the changes were needed because foreign countries are waging influence campaigns in British universities. She also cited instances of lectures and guest speakers facing harassment for holding gender-critical views. Polling paints a mixed picture of students’ views on free speech. A recent poll found that 70% agree that universities should never limit free speech, but most also want at least one political party banned from campuses. Nearly half believe universities are becoming less tolerant of a wide range of viewpoints, up from 24% in 2014.