The UK government has announced it will introduce a statutory ban on mobile phones in schools in England, amending the children’s wellbeing and schools bill to replace existing non-statutory guidance with a legal requirement. The move, tabled in the House of Lords, follows pressure from opposition peers who had stalled the bill.
Education minister Jacqui Smith told the Lords on Monday that the government recognised the strength of feeling on the issue and committed to placing the existing guidance on a statutory footing. The bill is considered one of the most significant child protection pieces of legislation in decades, also including measures such as a compulsory register for children not in school and a crackdown on profiteering in children’s social care.
Most schools in England already have policies restricting mobile phone use, with research from the children’s commissioner finding that 99.8% of primary schools and 90% of secondary schools limit or ban phones during the school day. The Association of School and College Leaders noted that the statutory ban changes little in practice but called for government funding for secure phone storage.
The government had previously resisted a legal ban, arguing that existing guidance was sufficient. However, it described the amendment as a pragmatic measure to ensure the bill’s passage. A government spokesperson criticised opposition peers for delaying the legislation, which also includes manifesto commitments such as free breakfast clubs and limits on branded school uniform.
