Ministers considering smacking ban in England after renewed calls for action
The UK government is weighing up a potential ban on smacking children, mirroring laws in Wales and Scotland.
In a major shift, the UK government is now considering a ban on smacking children in England, following Scotland, Wales, and Jersey which have already banned the physical punishment of children.
The Department for Education has confirmed that ministers are "carefully reviewing" the possibility of outlawing physical punishment, which is currently allowed as long as it is deemed “reasonable.” Under the Children Act 2004, however, any physical act that causes actual or serious harm is already illegal.
The potential ban would bring England in line with the likes of Wales, Scotland, and Jersey, where physical punishment of children has already been banned.
Dame Rachel de Souza, the Children’s Commissioner for England, has long championed a total ban on corporal punishment. In a statement, Dame de Souza said, "How we treat and protect children says something fundamental about a society – banning the reasonable chastisement defence is an important step in making sure every child’s rights are not just met but valued."
The NSPCC and Barnardo’s have also consistently called for equal protection from physical assault for children in England.
Polling conducted by YouGov last year found that two-thirds of people believe physical punishment is wrong. While previous Conservative governments have dismissed similar proposals, Labour ministers are now exploring how bans in Wales and Scotland have been implemented and what further steps might be necessary.
The potential ban has sparked a lively debate. Some believe it would help authorities spot signs of abuse earlier, as it would remove the defence of “reasonable chastisement.” Others worry that it could lead to the criminalisation of parents whose intentions are misunderstood.
The government’s potential ban on smacking reflects growing concerns over child welfare and the importance of protecting children from all forms of violence. While discussions continue, the issue clearly has wide-reaching implications for both parenting and safeguarding.
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Ruairidh is the Digital Lead on MadeForMums. He works with a team of fantastically talented content creators and subject-matter experts on MadeForMums.
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