Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson says she’s ‘open minded’ about smacking ban
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson says she is “open minded” about banning smacking.
The Labour frontbencher said the move is under consideration, but there is currently no plan to put forward new laws. Similar bans have been introduced in Scotland, Wales and Jersey.
Ms Phillipson told the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg: “We are considering it, but this is not an area where we intend to bring forward legislation anytime soon.”
Children’s Commissioner for England Dame Rachel de Souza has called for a ban after the death of 10-year-old Sara Sharif. Her dad, stepmother and uncle are standing trial for her murder, which they deny. A court heard she was hooded, burned and beaten over a two-year period.
Ms Phillipson said: “I’d be keen to hear from the Children’s Commissioner and others about how this would work. I’m open minded on it.
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“It’s not something we intend to legislate on, but I think we do need to look at how we keep children safe. The measures that we’ll be setting out in the Children’s Wellbeing Bill, which we’re bringing forward by the end of the year I would hope, will address many of those issues around children’s social care, around keeping children safe.
“So there’s a lot that we can get on and do now.” Addressing the calls to ban smacking, Ms Phillipson said: “I think having a conversation about that wider issue is something that we would need to take time and care of in order to get it right.”
The former Tory Government previously ruled out a smacking ban, saying parents should should be trusted to discipline their children. It is legal in England and Northern Ireland for a carer or parent to dish out “reasonable” punishment.
But it is illegal under the Children Act 2004 to assault a child causing actual or grievous bodily harm. Dame Rachel said new laws in Scotland and Wales have “taught us we need to take that step in England too” – saying “now is the time to go further”.
Charities the NSPCC and Barnardo’s have campaigned for a ban, while a survery by YouGov in March last year found that two thirds in England believe physically disciplining a child is not acceptable.
