Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has spent around £500,000 of public money attempting to overturn free speech legislation for universities in England, according to reports. The move relates to duties introduced under the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act, which Labour has sought to water down or repeal, prompting criticism over the use of taxpayer funds to reverse protections campaigners say are needed to safeguard academic debate on campus.

The free speech law had required universities and student unions to actively promote lawful speech and allowed for a legal complaints scheme and financial penalties against institutions that failed to uphold it, but ministers paused and reviewed elements of the regime after taking office. Critics, including free speech advocates and opposition politicians, argue the spending shows the government prioritising the suppression of contested viewpoints over protecting open debate in higher education, while the Department for Education maintains its approach still supports lawful expression on campus.