13 November 2025

Nick Gova features in The Times on missed opportunity over smacking ban

Head of Family Nick Gova is featured in The Times with an opinion piece on The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which aims to reform children’s social care in England and raise education standards. While the Bill promises progress in areas like multi-agency safeguarding and clearer pathways for intervention, Nick and other critics argue it fails to address the crucial issue of physical punishment.

The current law in England still allows parents to use “reasonable chastisement,” creating a legal inconsistency not seen in Scotland or Wales. Educational Psychologists strongly believe smacking harms a child’s mental health.

Nick’s opinion is clear: “By leaving the smacking debate unresolved, ministers are missing an opportunity for progressive, balanced reform,” he says.

By leaving this loophole, Nick states that the Bill risks “strengthening bureaucracy while sidestepping the heart of the issue,” and leaves children without the same legal protection from assault as adults. The Government has acknowledged the proposal but decided against an immediate ban, preferring to await further impact assessment.

Critics contend that true progress requires aligning the law with contemporary values and giving children equality before the law. Nick concludes: “If the government wants to lead with courage, it should ensure that every child in England enjoys the same legal protection from assault as every adult.”

Read Nick’s article