Minister says ‘no plans’ to ban smacking in England, despite comment from Sara Sharif’s father – UK politics live | Politics

good morning. of Children's welfare and school bills It is published today, Sally Wheel According to reports, the government is planning to step up checks on children being home-educated in the UK.

The publication follows a trial that revealed details of one of the most shocking child abuse cases heard in British courts in recent years, including the death of 10-year-old Sara Sharif, her father and stepmother. This took place at the same time that the murderer was sentenced. Even though teachers were becoming aware of evidence that Sarah had been assaulted at home, the bill had been removed from school and homeschooled in the months before her death. Although it was planned long ago, it addresses one of the following: This is to protect the loopholes highlighted by the Sharif incident.

Bridget PhillipsonThe Secretary of Education is giving an interview this morning. She told the Today show:

It is clear that in recent years too many children are not being protected by the state and that action is needed. Therefore, no more lessons are learned and no more words are needed. Today, we have developed a plan to help these agencies work together to provide a clearer picture of where children are and what they are experiencing in their lives.

However, Mr Phillipson said in an interview that the Government will not legislate against child hitting in England, even though it is banned in Scotland and Wales and the Government has indicated it will consider a review in the autumn. He also said he had no intention of doing so.

In 2022, as opposition leader, keir starmer He said he hoped the ban would be extended to England. In October, after the Sarah Sharif murder trial began, Dame rachel de souzaChildren's Committee, said “The ban on slapping is a necessary measure to protect the safety of children and prevent the escalation of low-level violence,'' he said at the time. Ministry of Education said: “We are closely monitoring the legal changes that have taken place in Wales and Scotland and are considering whether more can be done in this area.” After the Sharif verdict was handed down last week. de souza said:

What pains me most about Sarah's death is that her father used the phrase “I legally punished my child,” believing this to be a defense against murder. It is inconceivable that parents and caregivers would hide behind our legal system to justify such brutality. However, children living in the UK today are less protected from assault than adults.

Still today phillipson The government said it had “no plans” to act on this yet. She told LBC:

We are not going to legislate on this. To understand what effect it has had, I would like to look at the experiences of Wales and Scotland, which have enacted legislation.

And when asked why the government was not implementing the ban in the UK, she told Times Radio:

Because what I want to understand is the impact and effect of the law in Wales. They will begin a first-stage review of the meaning and effect of the legislation they have introduced. I want to look at it, understand it and decide whether further steps need to be taken here in the UK.

The agenda for the day is:

morning: Keir Starmer holds a breakfast meeting with Estonian business leaders. He will then attend the Joint Expeditionary Forces summit and then visit British troops near the Russian border.

9:45am: The Post Office Horizon scandal investigation will see closing statements from lawyers representing the Post Office, Paula Vennells, Fujitsu, Gareth Jenkins and the Department of Commerce.

10:30am: Former Labor home secretary Charles Clarke and former Conservative attorney general Michael Gove will give evidence about prisons to the Lords Justice and Home Affairs Committee.

11:30am: A lobby briefing session will be held at Downing Street.

11:30am: Energy Secretary Ed Miliband takes questions in the House of Commons.

Early afternoon (probably): The Home Office has published a ministerial statement setting out details of police funding in England and Wales for 2025-2026.

2:30pm: Home Secretary Yvette Cooper will give evidence to the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee, which she has chaired for many years.

2:30pm: Attorney General Shabana Mahmood will give evidence to the House of Commons Judiciary Committee.

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