Overview

• The Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, including a proposed amendment to ban physical punishment of children, is set for further debate in the House of Lords today.
• A new NSPCC poll reveals 90% of social workers and significant majorities of teachers, healthcare professionals, and police support ending the 'reasonable punishment' defence in England.
• The UK's Children's Commissioners have issued a joint statement calling the existing legal defence 'outdated and morally repugnant' and urging the government to align with Scotland and Wales, where smacking is fully banned.
• The 2023 murder of 10-year-old Sara Sharif by her father, who claimed he 'legally punished' her, has intensified calls for reform to protect children from physical harm.
• The government has stated it is reviewing evidence from Scotland and Wales but has no immediate plans to legislate, despite mounting pressure from child protection advocates.