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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Ministers rule out smacking ban | Ministers rule out smacking ban |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A complete ban on smacking has been rejected by ministers, after a review suggested most parents opposed it. | A complete ban on smacking has been rejected by ministers, after a review suggested most parents opposed it. |
| Laws on smacking in England and Wales were tightened in 2004 to stop parents and carers who assaulted children using "reasonable punishment" as a defence. | |
| But children's minister Kevin Brennan said laws would not be changed further, as new rules appeared to be working. | But children's minister Kevin Brennan said laws would not be changed further, as new rules appeared to be working. |
| He told MPs that while many parents said they did not smack children, most said it should not be banned outright. | He told MPs that while many parents said they did not smack children, most said it should not be banned outright. |
| Under the 2004 Children's Act, which came into force in January 2005 mild smacking is allowed but any punishment which causes visible bruising, grazes, scratches, minor swellings or cuts can result in action. | Under the 2004 Children's Act, which came into force in January 2005 mild smacking is allowed but any punishment which causes visible bruising, grazes, scratches, minor swellings or cuts can result in action. |
| Protection 'improved' | Protection 'improved' |
| The government have been reviewing the law to see if it was working - some organisations have called for a ban on smacking altogether, including the children's charity the NSPCC. | The government have been reviewing the law to see if it was working - some organisations have called for a ban on smacking altogether, including the children's charity the NSPCC. |
| In a statement to MPs Mr Brennan said: "The review found that smacking is becoming a less commonly used form of discipline as more parents recognise that there are more effective and acceptable methods of disciplining children." | In a statement to MPs Mr Brennan said: "The review found that smacking is becoming a less commonly used form of discipline as more parents recognise that there are more effective and acceptable methods of disciplining children." |
| He said police had discretion to deal with cases they considered appropriate, and the law had improved protection for children - although some people were not aware of the change. | He said police had discretion to deal with cases they considered appropriate, and the law had improved protection for children - although some people were not aware of the change. |
| "In response, the government will retain the law in its current form, in the absence of evidence it is not working satisfactorily. | "In response, the government will retain the law in its current form, in the absence of evidence it is not working satisfactorily. |
| "We will also do more to help with positive parenting." | "We will also do more to help with positive parenting." |
| Later he told BBC News 24 "about 70%" of parents did not want a ban on smacking and did not want a mild smack to result in a parent being criminalised. | Later he told BBC News 24 "about 70%" of parents did not want a ban on smacking and did not want a mild smack to result in a parent being criminalised. |
| "I think that is the common sense position and we've decided to keep that, and are happy that strikes the right balance," he said. | "I think that is the common sense position and we've decided to keep that, and are happy that strikes the right balance," he said. |