Concern has been expressed that legal protection from assault could now vary depending on a child’s location Getty ImagesThe children’s commissioner for England has called on Westminster to follow Scotland’s lead on moves to ban the smacking of children. The Scottish government has said it will ensure that a bill brought forward by John Finnie, a Green MSP, would become law. Yesterday Anne Longfield, the children’s commissioner for England, expressed concern that legal protection from assault could now vary depending on a child’s location. “The current legislation in England, which grants an exemption from the law on common assault to allow the physical punishment of children, is outdated,” she said. “It should be updated to reflect what the vast majority of parents believe: that hitting children is wrong and there are better and more effective ways of disciplining children and encouraging positive behaviour.”

Source: The Times October 19, 2017 23:02 UTC