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<p>Cheating is unacceptable. It undermines the reputation of the sector, and devalues
the hard work of those succeeding on their own merit. We are currently focussing on
non-legislative options, but remain open to the future need for legislation, and will
continue to investigate all options available. We should only legislate where it is
absolutely necessary – the government’s preferred approach is to tackle this issue
through a sector-led initiative – which is why the department has worked with Quality
Assurance Agency (QAA), Universities UK and the National Union of Students to publish
guidance last October, for all UK Universities on how best to tackle contract cheating.</p><p>
</p><p>Time is needed to fully evaluate the effectiveness of the new guidance and
this is underway. The QAA is running a series of seminars to evaluate how the sector
is using the guidance.</p><p> </p><p>Through the Higher Education and Research Act
(2017), we have given the Office for Students the power to take action if higher education
providers are found to be, in any way, complicit in cheating. This includes imposing
fines or ultimately de-registration, the highest possible punishment. I expect Vice
Chancellors to play their part by adopting robust anti plagiarism and cheating policies
which exclude students who use essay mills and by tackling the advertising of these
services in their institutions.</p><p> </p><p>I welcome the swift action YouTube took
to remove videos containing adverts promoting the EduBirdie essay-writing service,
in response to the recent 'BBC Trending' investigation on academic cheating, in which
I made it very clear that YouTube had a moral responsibility to take action.</p><p>
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