Government allows smacking

Health minister Jacqui Smith announced £145,000 of funding
over the next two years to start a project to help develop
‘positive parenting’ skills as the government published
its proposals relating to the physical punishment of children.

The consultation revealed that 70 per cent of members of the
public who responded were in favour of maintaining the status quo
with regards to the physical punishment of children. However,
nearly all the organisations which responded opposed physical
punishment.

More than 900 responses were made to ‘Protecting Children,
Supporting Parents: A Consultation Document on the Physical
Punishment of Children.’

The funding will be given to the National Family and Parenting
Institute to start a project to give practical advice to parents
and help them in stressful situations.