Consultation on the OfS’s approach to regulating students’ unions on free speech matters

About this consultation

The Office for Students (OfS) is implementing regulation of students’ unions in relation to their free speech duties. This consultation sets out the background to our proposals for regulation, the reasons we are making these proposals and what we expect their implementation to achieve.

Who should respond?

We welcome responses from anyone with an interest in freedom of speech in English higher education.

We are particularly (but not only) interested in hearing from students, students’ union representatives, and staff and leaders at higher education providers that will be engaging in the new arrangements.

We welcome views from all types and size of students’ union and provider. We also welcome the views of schools, employers, third sector organisations, policy bodies and others with an interest in freedom of speech in English higher education.

How to respond

Please respond by 17 March 2024.

Please use the online response form.

How we will treat your response

We will summarise and/or publish the responses to this consultation on the OfS website (and in alternative formats on request). This may include a list of the providers and organisations that respond, but not personal data such as individuals’ names, addresses or other contact details.

If you want the information that you provide to be treated as confidential, please tell us but be aware that we cannot guarantee confidentiality in all circumstances. An automatic confidentiality disclaimer generated by your IT system will not be regarded by us as a confidentiality request.

The OfS will process any personal data received in accordance with all applicable data protection laws (see our privacy policy).¹

We may need to disclose or publish information that you provide in the performance of our functions, or disclose it to other organisations for the purposes of their functions. Information (including personal data) may also need to be disclosed in accordance with UK legislation (such as the Freedom of Information Act 2000, Data Protection Act 2018 and Environmental Information Regulations 2004).

Next steps

We will publish a summary of responses to this consultation in summer 2024. We will explain how and why we have arrived at our decisions, and how we have addressed any concerns raised by respondents. We will then set out next steps in the policy and implementation process.

Enquiries

Email [email protected]

Alternatively, call our public enquiry line on 0117 931 7317.

Consultation events are planned for early 2024. These events will provide a further opportunity for you to discuss these proposals. See details of our events.

If you require this document in an alternative format, or you need assistance with the online form, contact [email protected]. (Please note: this email address should not be used for submitting your consultation response.)

[1] Available at the OfS privacy webpage.