UK rules on smacking

To hit or not to hit - 22nd May 2023

The UK government has decided not to ban physical punishment for children. Many children’s charities and activists, who proposed the ban to protect children against violence, are concerned.

The government believes it shouldn’t interfere with parental decision making. The Department of Education said that there’s no place for "violence towards children" and that there are "clear laws in place to prevent it."

However, activists and charities are unsatisfied with the government’s position. This includes activist Sir Peter Wanless. He said that, "It cannot be right that in this country it is illegal to hit an adult, but equal protection is not given to a child."

It’s legal for parents and carers in England and Northern Ireland to physically punish children. But it must be "reasonable punishment". The Children Act of 2004 defines physical harm and cruelty as unreasonable punishment, which is illegal. However, children’s charities argue that this definition isn’t clear enough and children are at risk. Parents and society may differ on what is reasonable punishment.

In England, most people oppose the government's decision. Most believe that hitting children is unacceptable.

The country's been slow to pass laws on this issue. Physical punishment in state schools was only made illegal in 1986. While in Northern Ireland, students could be hit by teachers until the early 2000s. However, in 2020 in Scotland and 2022 in Wales, hitting students was completely banned.

For now, parents in England and Northern Ireland are allowed to decide how to reasonably punish their children.