The Department for Children, Schools and Families announced last weekthat there would be no further changes to section 58 of the Children'sAct 2004.
In 2004, a defence of 'reasonable punishment' in cases of assault onchildren was removed and the Government proposed to carry out a reviewwithin two years. A review of section 58 was launched earlier this year(News, 21 June).
In a written statement to Parliament, children's minister Kevin Brennansaid, 'The review found that smacking is becoming a less commonly usedform of discipline as more parents recognise that there are moreeffective and acceptable methods of disciplining children. While manyparents say they will not smack, a majority of parents say that smackingshould not be banned outright.'
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