Party votes to ban smacking children

Liberal Democrats voted to ban the smacking of children, despite
warnings that it would increase pressure on social workers.

Party spokesperson for social care Paul Burstow MP said that as the
law stood “dogs and cats” were better protected than children.

He dismissed arguments that such a law would lead to parents’
convictions, adding that evidence from the 10 EU countries that had
banned smacking showed no increase in custodial sentences.

But those opposing the motion said that it would create problems
for social workers. Phil Hulty, a social worker, said: “This is a
profession where more people are leaving than joining and now we
are being asked to become some sort of social policeman, which puts
us in an impossible situation”.