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<p>The main provisions of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 will come
into force on 1 August 2024. Provisions surrounding the new regulatory framework and
overseas funding will come into force on 1 September 2025. There is currently no intention
to delay the commencement of these provisions, the department will lay the required
secondary legislation to meet these implementation dates.</p><p>The department will
work in collaboration with the Office for Students (OfS) to implement the Act, to
allow time for the sector to update their policies and codes of practice. The department
meets regularly with OfS to understand progress.</p><p>The OfS have already launched
three consultations related to:</p><ul><li>The regulation of students’ unions (closed).</li><li>The
new free-to-use complaints scheme (closed).</li><li>Its proposed approach, regulatory
advice and guidance on the duties related to freedom of speech and academic freedom.
(open until 26 May 2024).</li></ul><p>The proposed guidance is intended to help providers,
constituent institutions and students’ unions to navigate the new free speech duties
that the OfS expects to regulate from 1 August 2024. The department understands that
the OfS intends to publish the final version on or before 1 August 2024.</p><p>A provisional
implementation timetable is available on the OfS website: <a href="https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/quality-and-standards/freedom-of-speech/changes-to-regulation/"
target="_blank">https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/quality-and-standards/freedom-of-speech/changes-to-regulation/</a>.</p><p>
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