Russell Group comment on the Higher Education Cheating Services Prohibition Bill

24 June 2021

Speaking ahead of the second reading of the Higher Education Cheating Services Prohibition Bill in the House of Lords, a Russell Group spokesperson said:

“Universities and students' unions have worked hard to crack down on the use of essay mills, but this form of cheating remains particularly hard to detect. While Russell Group universities will continue to do their part, legislative backing for efforts to shut down these operations would help send a clear statement on the integrity of UK degrees.

“As part of a broader package of measures, legislation could shut down UK-based essay mills and prevent these services being advertised near campuses.

“Essay mills undermine the value of higher education and are unfair to the overwhelming majority of honest, hard-working students. There is no place for them in the UK. With New Zealand, Ireland, Australia and many US states all having introduced a ban, further action to demonstrate the UK is not a safe haven for essay mills would be welcome and we support the aims of the Higher Education Cheating Services Bill.”