Overview

This bill aims to make it illegal to provide or advertise services that help students cheat on their higher education assessments in England and Wales. This includes completing assignments or exams on behalf of students, or arranging for someone else to do so.

Description

The Higher Education Cheating Services Prohibition Bill criminalizes the provision and advertisement of services designed to assist students in cheating on higher education assessments. Specifically, it's illegal to:

• Provide a service (for payment or other reward) to complete all or part of an assignment, exam, or other coursework for a student enrolled in higher education in England, without the authorized person's permission, if the resulting work couldn't reasonably be considered the student's own.
• Arrange for another person to complete all or part of an assignment, exam, or other coursework for a student, under the same conditions as above.
• Advertise such services.
• Publish an advertisement for such services without a reasonable excuse.

There is a defence if the person can show they did not know, and could not have reasonably known, that the service would be used for unauthorized cheating. Corporations can also be prosecuted, as can their directors or managers if the offence was committed with their consent, connivance, or neglect. Penalties include fines upon summary conviction or indictment.

Government Spending

The bill does not directly specify any government spending. The cost of enforcement would likely fall on existing law enforcement agencies, but no figures are provided in the bill text.

Groups Affected

• Students: The bill aims to protect academic integrity and prevent students from engaging in cheating.
• Higher Education Institutions: The bill supports their efforts to maintain academic standards and deal with cheating.
• Essay mills and similar services: These businesses that offer cheating services would be directly affected, facing potential fines and prosecution if found guilty.
• Law Enforcement Agencies: These agencies would be responsible for enforcing the law and investigating potential offences.

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