The English smack ban is being considered by the government

Government ministers are considering a ban for England, the Department for Education has confirmed.

Devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Jersey have already introduced strict bans banning the use of physical force to punish children.

There were also plans for similar laws in England rejected by the previous Conservative government as recently as last year – but Labor ministers are now “carefully reviewing” whether more can be done on the issue.

The move comes after fresh calls for a ban by the Children’s Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza, following the death of 10-year-old Sara Sharif.

A court heard that over a period of two years, Sara was hooded, burned and beaten while her father, stepmother and uncle stood trial for her murderwhat they deny.

Dame Rachel said a ban on all forms of corporal punishment, including hitting, hitting, hitting and shaking, could prevent violence from escalating to lower levels.

“If we are serious about ensuring every child is safe, it is time for England to take this necessary step,” she said posted on X.

“Too many children have been injured or killed by the people who should love and care for them most.”

In England and Northern Ireland it is legal for a caregiver or parent to physically discipline their child if it is a “reasonable” punishment – but the Children Act 2004 made it illegal to assault a child causing actual or serious harm cause personal injury.

Dame Rachel said the experience of Scotland and Wales “has taught us that we must take that step in England too” and “now is the time to move on”.

The NSPCC and Barnardo’s have long called for a ban on English ‘smacking’ and two-thirds of English people surveyed by YouGov in March last year said physically disciplining a child is not acceptable.

The previous government stated that parents should be trusted to discipline their children.

However, a spokesperson for the Department of Education told the BBC that position has changed.

“Any form of violence against a child is completely unacceptable, and we are looking closely at the legal changes introduced in Wales and Scotland as we consider whether we can do more in this area,” they said.

“We are already supporting teachers, social workers and all safeguarding professionals to spot the signs of abuse or neglect more quickly, including with our mandatory child protection framework.”