To ask the Minister for the Economy what discussions he has had with universities about introducing the guidelines released last week by the Universities UK taskforce, calling on universities to adopt a consistent zero tolerance approach to sexual violence and harassment against women.

While my Department provides funding and sets the strategic direction for the higher education sector, the universities are autonomous institutions and are responsible for their own policies and procedures including those relating to student harassment.

However, I would encourage our institutions to continue to work with Universities UK, to ensure they are doing all they can to protect the safety and security of all their students.