- Researchers have criticised the failure to outlaw smacking in England and Northern Ireland, calling it a "huge missed opportunity and deeply disappointing".
- A new analysis by University College London (UCL), supported by the NSPCC, found that physical punishment is linked to poorer academic results and increased antisocial behaviour in children.
- The UCL study revealed that children in England who experienced physical punishment were significantly more likely to fail key GCSEs and engage in aggressive behaviour by age 14.
- While Wales and Scotland have banned all forms of corporal punishment, England and Northern Ireland continue to retain the legal defence of "reasonable punishment".
- Despite calls from children's commissioners for a wholesale ban, the Department for Education stated it has no plans to legislate on smacking in England at this stage.
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