The UK Government is facing fresh calls from doctors to introduce a ban on smacking children in England.
In case you weren’t aware, a new law was introduced in Wales back in March 2022 to ban “reasonably punishing”, with the nation following in the footsteps of more than 60 other countries across the world at the time, and ever since then, the Government in England has faced increasing calls by NSPCC, Barnardo’s, and other charities and organisations to follow suit.
Any form of corporal or physical punishment – including smacking, hitting, slapping, and shaking – is now against the law in Wales, Scotland, Jersey and dozens of other nations.
But here in England, and also in Northern Ireland, it is still legal for a parent or carer to discipline a child physically, if it’s considered to be reason “reasonable” punishment, despite the fact The Children Act 2004 says it’s unlawful to assault a child in a way that causes actual or grievous bodily harm, or with child cruelty.
Now, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) is, once again, urging ministers to consider ending the “reasonable chastisement” defence.
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Doctors are urging the Government to ban smacking children in England / Credit: Welsh Government
Doctors called England’s current laws around physical punishment “unjust and dangerously vague”.
In a report on the contentious matter, which has been a topic of debate for several decades, published this week, the RCPCH explained that the laws currently “create a grey area” and ultimately make it more difficult to distinguish which forms of physical punishment are “lawful” and which are not.
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Professor Andrew Rowland, who is a consultant paediatrician and an officer for child protection at the RCPCH, said in a statement on the report that he was “regularly faced with situations where it’s alleged that physical punishment has been used against a child”, but, due to what he claims is the “vague nature of the laws”, this makes it “extremely challenging” to talk to families about what the rules are.
“This lack of legislative clarity can even add an extra layer of complexity when trying to identify cases of child abuse,” Professor Rowland added.
He called for there to be “no grey areas when it comes to safeguarding children”, and concluded that changing the laws in England and Northern Ireland “will give us absolute clarity”.
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The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) says England’s current laws are “unjust and dangerously vague” / Credit: iStockPhoto
The UK Government says any form of violence towards a child is “completely unacceptable”.
Following the publishing of the RCPCH’s report, a Department for Education spokesperson commented: “Any form of violence towards a child is completely unacceptable, and we have clear laws in place to prevent it.
“It is the responsibility of the parent to discipline their children, appropriately and within the boundaries of the law.
“We are supporting teachers, social workers and all safeguarding professionals to spot the signs of abuse or neglect more quickly, and our statutory framework for safeguarding children in England makes clear what organisations should do to keep children safe.”
Featured Image – NSPCC
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New Mayor Bev Craig announces £20m fund to ‘revitalise’ Greater Manchester high streets
Emily Sergeant
The new Mayor of Greater Manchester has unveiled plans to ‘breathe new life’ into local high streets with a landmark £20 million fund.
Bev Craig says Greater Manchester has enjoyed a decade of rapid economic growth, ‘outstripping’ every other city region in the UK in the process, but now she wants to make sure that everyone can ‘see and feel’ the benefits of that growth where they live.
The new £20m Good Growth High Streets Fund will be made available to local businesses, business groups, and voluntary and community organisations across Greater Manchester to improve their high streets, and will primarily back ideas that can ‘make a real difference’ to good economic growth and restore local pride.
The new fund forms part of the Our High Streets campaign – which will run throughout her first mayoral term to ’empower’ local communities to revitalise where they live, shop, and socialise.
New Mayor Bev Craig has announced a £20m fund to ‘revitalise’ Greater Manchester high streets / Credit: GMCA | Jonny Gios (via Unsplash)
To drive forward this work, Bev is calling on local businesses and groups to join a new High Streets Taskforce, which will help design the ‘ambitious’ plans for the fund and put them into practice across the city region.
Bev launched her high street plans in Middleton yesterday, where she said the ‘passion and ambition’ of local people and the independent business community are already leading to a transformation of the town centre, and there’s potential of even more to come.
“Our high streets are the beating hearts of our communities, and people want to feel pride about where they live,” commented Mayor Bev Craig.
“They are rightly worried and frustrated when they see derelict pubs, boarded-up shops, and dodgy operators, and independent traders moving away. They want to see practical support for local businesses now and that’s why I’m taking action.
“Our new £20 million Good Growth High Streets Fund is all about restoring pride in a vibrant high street, backing our neighbourhoods, and spreading the rewards of good economic growth everywhere.”
The Good Growth High Streets Fund will open for applications later this year.
Featured Image – GMCA
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Student police officer charged with off-duty rape and kidnap of woman in Manchester
Emily Sergeant
A student police officer has been charged with the rape and kidnap of a woman in Manchester while he was off duty.
Mohammad Hassan, 23-years-old and of Asian-Pakistani ethnicity, has been remanded in custody following the charges, and has been suspended Greater Manchester Police (GMP).
The charges – which have been authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) following a police investigation – relate to reports made to authorities on the evening of Saturday 8 August 2026, which ended in a police pursuit on the M62 in West Yorkshire.
Following the police pursuit, a woman was safeguarded at the scene, and continues to be supported by specialist officers and support services.
Hassan has been charged with oral rape, kidnap, strangulation, sexual assault, theft of mobile phone, and dangerous driving.
He is set to appear at Manchester Magistrates’ Court today (11 August).
“GMP detectives and staff have been working on this investigation throughout the last 48 hours to ensure charges are brought in this case,” explained GMP Assistant Chief Constable, Mark Dexter.
“The victim is our priority, and we are ensuring she continues to receive specialist support. Criminal proceedings must now take its course without interference.
“I understand, and share, the feeling among the public and our thousands of hard-working, decent staff who will have seen this news. Proceedings are underway and necessary action will be decisively taken within the regulations.”
Emily Sergeant -
17th April 2024 
