Government to Enact Legal Ban on School Phones in England

The UK government has announced plans to introduce legislation that will legally prohibit the use of smartphones in schools across England. On Monday, Education Minister Baroness Jacqui Smith informed the House of Lords that the government intends to table an amendment to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill. This amendment aims to establish a "clear legal requirement" for educational institutions regarding mobile phone usage.

According to the Department for Education (DfE), this legislative move is designed to give "legal force" to practices that many schools are already implementing voluntarily. Earlier this year, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson issued correspondence to schools, urging them to adopt new guidance recommending that schools remain phone-free throughout the entire day. By placing this guidance on a statutory footing, the government intends to make these recommendations mandatory for schools to follow. Officials emphasize that this approach differs from the outright legal ban previously advocated for by the Conservative Party.

Laura Trott, the Conservative shadow education secretary, welcomed the development. She described the upcoming amendment as "fantastic news for headteachers, parents and pupils across the country." In a statement on X, Trott criticized the Labour government’s previous stance, noting that they had dismissed the idea of a ban as an "unnecessary gimmick" for over a year. She added that just last week, the education minister had suggested the issue was already resolved. Trott expressed satisfaction that the government had "now listened," arguing that this is the "right step for improving behaviour and raising attainment in our classrooms."

During her address to the House of Lords, Baroness Smith revealed that the government had removed the specific "not seen, not heard" protocol—where phones must be switched off and stored in bags—from the list of recommended options. Instead, ministers stated they are open to considering whether stronger measures should be mandated. Some institutions have already implemented physical solutions, such as lockers or magnetically sealed pouches, to manage phone storage. However, the specific text of the government’s amendment has not yet been released to the public.

Political reactions from other parties highlighted the complexity of the issue. The Liberal Democrats emphasized that ministers must now "ensure all schools have the necessary support and funding to manage this transition." Caroline Voaden, the party’s schools spokesperson, claimed her party had achieved a "major win for pupils, teachers, and families" by pressuring the government toward a ban. Meanwhile, Reform UK’s education spokesperson, Suella Braverman, argued that mobile phones are "fuelling distraction and undermining discipline" within schools. She contended that the current guidance is insufficient and advocated for a "clear, enforceable ban to protect children."

The Green Party also weighed in, with a spokesperson expressing "deeply concerned" feelings regarding the potential harms associated with phones. They stressed that a "thorough consultation process" is essential to developing "effective solutions" for schools.

In response to the legislative changes, the DfE reiterated that it has been "consistently clear that mobile phones have no place in schools," noting that the majority of institutions already enforce prohibitions. A spokesperson stated that the amendment "builds on the steps we've already taken to strengthen enforcement." Additionally, the DfE confirmed that schools’ mobile phone policies will be subject to monitoring during Ofsted inspections starting in April. A spokesperson highlighted the government’s commitment to prioritizing children's interests, describing the Bill as "widely recognised as the biggest piece of child safeguarding legislation in decades."

The legislation had previously faced delays, moving between the House of Commons and the Lords after the latter voted in favor of a Conservative amendment calling for a ban in February. Earlier this week, the House of Lords agreed to Baroness Barran’s proposal to include potential exemptions for sixth-form students, those in boarding schools, and individuals who use phones as medical devices.

Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, suggested that the legal backing for the guidance "doesn't really change very much" since most schools already enforce their own restrictions. However, he urged the government to provide funding for secure storage solutions, such as lockers or locked pouches, stating, "What would really be helpful is for the government to make funding available to schools for the safe and secure storage of mobile phones." He also called for further measures to support schools in this transition.

Source: BBC News Generated at: 2026-04-21 07:33:19 UTC