Nursery World - MPs back ban on smacking

* A motion against smacking that called on the Government to introduce legislation to remove the reasonable chastisement defence and give children equal protection under the law on assault in England and Wales passed unanimously at last week's Liberal Democrat conference in Brighton. The motion said research had shown the ineffectiveness of physical punishment as a form of discipline.

The motion said research had shown the ineffectiveness of physical punishment as a form of discipline.

The NSPCC praised the Liberal Democrats for having the courage to place the issue of corporal punishment in the home on their agenda. Liz Atkins, NSPCC head of policy and public affairs, said, 'NSPCC research shows that there is considerable support for this within Parliament.'

She said it appeared that Parliament was 'leaning towards legal reform' and that a free vote on stronger laws to protect children was 'winnable'.

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