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 facilitate academic dishonesty in higher education. Specifically, it outlines the following:

• Offence of Providing Services: It's an offence to provide a service that involves completing all or part of an assignment, exam, or other assessed work for a student, without their educational institution's authorization, if payment or other financial benefit is received or expected. This also includes arranging for another person to complete the work.
• Offence of Advertising Services: Advertising such services is also made an offence, as is publishing an advertisement without reasonable excuse.
• Exemption: There is a defence if the provider can demonstrate they did not know, and could not reasonably have known, that the service would be used for unauthorized cheating.
• Corporate Liability: If a company commits the offence, any director, manager, secretary or similar officer involved may also be held liable.
• Penalties: Penalties for those found guilty include fines, with the level depending on whether the conviction is summary or on indictment.
• Geographic Scope: The bill applies only to England and Wales.

Government Spending

The bill does not directly specify any increase or decrease in government spending. The cost of enforcement would likely fall upon existing law enforcement agencies in England and Wales. No specific figures are provided within the bill text.

Groups Affected

Groups potentially affected by the bill include:

• Students: The bill aims to protect students' academic integrity and ensure fair assessment practices.
• Higher Education Institutions: The bill supports their efforts to maintain academic standards and prevent cheating.
• Companies and Individuals providing cheating services: These individuals and businesses will face legal consequences if found guilty of providing or advertising these services.
• Law enforcement agencies: These agencies will be responsible for enforcing the new legislation.

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