Labour Considers Smacking Ban in England

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has indicated that the Labour government is considering a ban on smacking children in England, although there are currently no plans to legislate soon. This consideration comes after calls from Children's Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza and follows similar bans in Scotland and Wales. Phillipson expressed her openness to discussing the potential ban and emphasized the need for expert input on how legislation might be implemented. She highlighted that the forthcoming Children's Wellbeing Bill will address issues around children's safeguarding and social care. The previous Conservative administration had rejected calls for a ban, asserting that parents should be trusted to discipline their children. Campaigners argue for the removal of the legal defense of 'reasonable chastisement' that persists under the Children's Act of 2002.