The Joint Committee says that the inquiry will focus on the following questions:

• Does hate speech law need to be updated or clarified as shifting social attitudes lead some to consider commonly held views hateful?
• Does current police guidance and practice on hate speech law help promote freedom of expression?
• Is there a need to review the wording and application of Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) legislation?
• What obligations does an employee have to their employer when expressing views on social media, and to what extent can, and should, employers respond to what their employees say on these platforms?
• Is greater clarity required to ensure the law is understood and fair?
• How has the situation changed in universities in the two years since the Committee’s report on the issue?
• Does everyone have equal protection of their right to freedom of expression?

The Joint Committee invites submissions of no more than 1,500 words from interested groups and individuals. The deadline for submissions is 6 December 2020.