Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson considers a ban on smacking children in England, following Scotland and Wales.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson is open to the idea of banning smacking children in England, following similar bans in Scotland and Wales. However, she clarified that there are currently no plans for legislation. Her comments respond to Children's Commissioner Rachel de Souza's call for a ban as a necessary safeguard. The upcoming Children's Wellbeing Bill aims to address issues in children's social care and safety, amid ongoing demands to end the legal defense of "reasonable chastisement."