It is a rare privilege to ask a question during a session of Prime Minister’s Questions and while it was the Deputy Prime Minister filling in today, it was useful to put the Government on the spot about child safeguarding.
In the session, I called on the Government to bring England in line with Scotland and Wales who have outlawed the practise of smacking. Under the Children’s Act of 2024, English parents are allowed to claim a defence of “reasonable chastisement”, a defence often misused. After the sad case of Sara Sharif, I joined others including the children’s commissioner for England, Rachel de Souza and the NSPCC calling on the Government to change the law.
I was disappointed that the Deputy Prime Minister was not able to give more details, but I look forward to meeting the relevant Minister to discuss the matter in due course.
