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Written question asked by Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 14 October 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 16 October 2025. It was answered by Josh MacAlister (Labour) on Tuesday, 4 November 2025 on behalf of the Department for Education.


Children: Corporal Punishment

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to section 58 of the Children Act 2004, if she will take legislative steps to remove the defence of reasonable punishment for parents.

Answer

The landmark Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, a key part of the government’s Plan for Change, represents the most transformative piece of child protection legislation in a generation, including wholesale reform of the children’s social care system and the introduction of measures to improve information sharing between education, police, health, justice and social workers to stop vulnerable children falling through the cracks.

While the department is looking closely at the impact of the legal changes made in Wales and Scotland in relation to reasonable punishment, we have no plans to legislate at this stage.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
82085
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Children Corporal punishment Parents
Legislation
Children Act 2004
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk