smacking

Other charities, including Barnardo's, have also long called for an English smacking ban.

The education secretary has said she is "open-minded" about a ban on smacking children in England - but that there are no imminent plans to change the law.

Posting on X last week, Dame Rachel said a ban on any kind of corporal punishment, including smacking, hitting, slapping and shaking, could stop lower-level violence from escalating.

Ms Redwin said she thought she had heard “smacking” from downstairs followed by a scream.

Government ministers are considering a smacking ban for England, the Department for Education has confirmed.