Essay writing services to be banned in bid to stop cheating at college and university

6 October 2021, 16:22 | Updated: 6 October 2021, 16:27

The banning of essay writing services is part of plans to reform post-16 education
The banning of essay writing services is part of plans to reform post-16 education. Picture: Alamy

By Press Association

Essay cheating companies will be made illegal in England under new legislation to reform post-16 education.

The government intends to make it a criminal offence to provide, arrange or advertise essay-writing services for financial gain to university and college students.

Making essay mills illegal will help protect students from falling prey to the "deceptive marketing techniques of contract cheating services", the Department for Education said.

It is one of a number of measures being introduced to the Skills and Post-16 Education Bill, which aims to transform further and technical education.

A flyer, pictured at a London university in 2017, advertising essay mills
A flyer, pictured at a London university in 2017, advertising essay mills. Picture: Alamy

Skills minister Alex Burghart said: "Essay mills are completely unethical and profit by undermining the hard work most students do.

"We are taking steps to ban these cheating services.

"We have also announced a new measure to make sure all young people receive broader careers guidance so everyone can get the advice that's right for them."

Essay mills, which are already illegal in some countries, make money by encouraging students to cheat in assessments.

Read more: Boris Johnson: I will tackle 'underlying problems' when no other Govt had the 'guts' to

Their services include providing students with ready-made essays to pass off as their own.

The government hopes banning the services will help to safeguard the academic integrity and standards of post-16 and higher education in England.

A Universities UK spokeswoman "welcomed" the announcement, though she added the use of essay mills by students is "rare".

A spokesperson for the National Union of Students said they are glad the government is "finally listening".

"These private companies prey on students' vulnerabilities and insecurities to make money through exploitation, and never more so than during the pandemic.

"In the meantime, we would urge universities to put in place academic and pastoral support so that students are never in the position of feeling they have to turn to essay mills in the first place."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Bebe King, 6, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, 9 died in the attack

Southport killer’s brother ‘to attend inquiry’ after family moved to secret location - as survivors tell their stories

Roy Barclay (left), 56, had denied the murder of 57-year-old Anita Rose

'Dangerous' man living off grid to avoid prison found guilty of 'viciously' killing grandmother while on dog walk

The woman was hit on Avenue Charles-de-Gaulle, in Beaune, France

British woman, 35, is run down and killed in front of her husband while out jogging in France

Russia hit Ukraine with over 700 drones overnight. Picture: Alamy

Russia launches largest drone attack on Ukraine since start of full-scale invasion

Erin Patterson was found guilty of triple murder after serving a deadly beef wellington laced with toxic mushroom

'You've poisoned them all': Moment doctor realised 'heinous' mushroom murderer Erin Patterson was guilty of poisonings

A scene from 12 Angry Men, the classic legal drama - where a jury decides to acquit a defendant after a long discussion

How could trials work without juries?

X

Resident doctors announce five days of strike action amid ongoing dispute over pay

Axel Rudakubana

Father of girl injured in Southport attack says she was stabbed by ‘coward’

Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner on the grid before the F1 Grand Prix of Great Britain on July 06

Christian Horner sacked by Red Bull as Formula One team principal - a year after texting scandal

Exclusive
Lord Glasman speaks to LBC's Nick Ferrari

'They urinated on their voters': Lord Glasman slams Tories as 'irrelevant' as he says it's now Labour vs Reform

Getting an ADHD diagnosis can take years for children - but for adults it can be even harder

Do I need to get an ADHD diagnosis?

x

'Digsy's Dinner': ASDA celebrates 'Oasis mania' Manchester gigs by serving Liam Gallagher Lasagne

Writer Raynor Winn during the CineMerit Award for Gillian Anderson and the premiere of the movie "The Salt Path" during the 2025 Munich Film Festival

Salt Path author 'risking legal action' as publisher issues statement over claims story was 'based on lies'

LBC can reveal councils in England are forking out millions of pounds storing the belongings of families stuck in temporary accommodation.

Housing crisis forcing councils to spend millions on storage for those in temporary accommodation

The man has been named by his family as Sean O'Meara.

Plumber, 36, with ‘chainsaw and gas mask’ shot by police who ‘feared gun or bomb’ is named by family

Exclusive
UK is now Russia’s main target, with British criminals acting as Putin's foot soldiers, ex-spy warns

UK is now Russia’s main target, with British criminals acting as Putin's foot soldiers, ex-spy warns