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Stricter laws on the physical punishment of children are to be introduced in Scotland following an announcement by justice minister Jim Wallace.

The new proposals introduce a total ban on blows to the head, shaking and the use of implements. Physically punishing any child under two years will be outlawed. Childcare centres, childminders and non-publicly funded pre-school centres will now be prohibited from physically punishing children.

In making the announcement Wallace said: "Parents will keep the right to reasonably chastise their children, but greater restrictions on what is allowed will be enacted."

The proposals are bound to receive no more than a guarded welcome from many childcare organisations which lobbied for a complete ban on the physical punishment of all children during the Scottish executive’s consultation process. The proposals will be laid out in full in a white paper to be published in October, and incorporated into the Criminal Justice Bill. It is likely to become law by the end of next year.

Wallace said: "We want to amend the law to protect children from punishment that is harsh, degrading and completely inappropriate in a decent society."