England’s universities are set to face new enforcement on freedom of speech after the Office for Students (OfS) announced a complaints system coming online for the next academic year. The Department for Education said university staff and external speakers will be able to raise concerns directly through OfS procedures. Under the approach, OfS will review incidents, direct universities to change processes, and in some cases require compensation to affected individuals. Providers that fail to protect free speech could face fines up to £500,000 or 2% of income—and in serious cases could risk losing public funding. The government described the complaints mechanism as a delayed element of a stronger freedom of speech law that took effect in August 2025. Notably, the system is not open to students, who would continue to use internal complaints routes and then an independent adjudicator. The announcement echoes recent enforcement activity, including a March 2025 fine against the University of Sussex—reported as linked to a “chilling effect” finding over an inclusion policy. Sussex has challenged the fine in the High Court, with judgment expected soon.