Government to Enact Legal Ban on Mobile Phones in English Schools

The UK government has announced plans to introduce legislation that would legally prohibit the use of smartphones in schools across England. On Monday, Education Minister Baroness Jacqui Smith informed the House of Lords that the administration intends to table an amendment to the landmark Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. This amendment aims to establish a definitive legal obligation for schools regarding the management of mobile devices.

According to the Department for Education (DfE), this legislative move serves to give "legal force to what schools are already doing in practice." Earlier this year, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson issued correspondence to schools, urging them to adhere to new guidelines recommending that schools remain phone-free for the entire school day. The government stated it intends to place this guidance on a statutory basis, meaning compliance will be mandatory. Officials emphasized that this approach differs from the previous Conservative administration’s stance, which favored an outright legal prohibition.

Conservative shadow education secretary Laura Trott welcomed the development, describing the upcoming amendment as "fantastic news for headteachers, parents and pupils across the country." However, she criticized the Labour government’s previous hesitation. "For over a year, Labour dismissed this as an unnecessary gimmick, and just last week the education minister claimed the problem had already been solved," Trott wrote on X. "I'm glad they've now listened, this is the right step for improving behaviour and raising attainment in our classrooms."

In the House of Lords, Baroness Smith noted that the government had removed the "not seen, not heard" protocol—requiring phones to be switched off and stored in bags—from the guidance as a mandatory option, expressing openness to considering stricter measures. Some educational institutions have already implemented specific measures, such providing lockers or magnetically sealed pouches for device storage. Specific details of the government’s amendment have not yet been released.

Political reactions from other parties varied. The Liberal Democrats urged ministers to guarantee that all schools receive adequate support and funding to navigate this transition. Schools spokesperson Caroline Voaden claimed her party had achieved a "major win for pupils, teachers, and families" by pressuring the government toward a ban. Meanwhile, Reform UK education spokesperson Suella Braverman argued that phones are "fuelling distraction and undermining discipline" in schools. She contended that current guidance is insufficient and advocated for a "clear, enforceable ban to protect children." A Green Party spokesperson expressed deep concern over the potential harms associated with phones, stressing that a "thorough consultation process" is essential to developing effective solutions for schools.

The DfE reiterated that it has been "consistently clear that mobile phones have no place in schools," noting that the majority of institutions already prohibit them. A department spokesperson added that the amendment "builds on the steps we've already taken to strengthen enforcement." Furthermore, schools’ mobile phone policies will come under scrutiny during Ofsted inspections starting in April. The department highlighted that the Bill, widely regarded as the most significant child safeguarding legislation in decades, is designed to prioritize children's interests.

The legislation had previously stalled between the House of Commons and the House of Lords, following a February vote in the Lords favoring a Conservative amendment for a ban. Earlier this week, the House of Lords agreed to an amendment suggested by shadow education minister Baroness Barran, which allows for potential exemptions for sixth-form students, boarding school pupils, and individuals who rely on phones as medical devices.

Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, remarked that the legal backing for the guidance "doesn't really change very much," as most schools already enforce their own bans. He argued that the government should instead focus on providing funding for secure storage solutions, such as lockers or locked pouches, and called for

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