The NSPCC has added its voice to those calling for a ban on smacking children in England.

The children’s charity says there is now ‘rising levels’ of support from the public to give children the same legal protection as adults against physical punishment.

Last week a report by The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) declared that smacking children was harmful and made it harder for doctors to identify when a child may be being abused.

The NSPCC, which says it has delivered more than 700 counselling sessions to children worried about phsyical punishment in the last year, has now joined those demanding England be brought inline with Scotland and Wales where smacking is already illegal.

Ahead of the next general election - the NSPCC wants all political parties to commit to bringing in a ban and scrapping the current defence of ‘reasonable chastisement’.

It points to new YouGov poll results from more than 3,500 adults in England - which shows a rise in those who think smacking, hitting, slapping or shaking a child is not acceptable from 67% in 2023 to 71% this year.

The poll also revealed increased support for a change in the law that would end the use of physical punishment against children in England – with 50% saying so in 2023 and 52% in 2024.

Studies show, says the NSPCC, that physical punishment can have harmful consequences for children from affecting their emotional health to being associated with increased aggresssion and antisocial behaviour.

Sir Peter Wanless, CEO at the NSPCC, said: “Parents want the best for their children - to protect them from harm, keep them healthy and give them a happy childhood. With the evidence now clearly showing being assaulted can have long term consequences for a child’s mental and emotional health, it’s not surprising that parents’ use of physical punishment has declined over the last decade.

“If an adult hits another adult because they don’t approve of how they’re behaving, it’s described as physical assault. But if a parent uses physical violence and harms their child by taking the same actions, the law considers it acceptable. This is not right.

“As we head into the next General Election, our polling suggests that voters across different political persuasions believe that smacking should no longer be allowed. The law now needs to change to keep pace.”

Barnardo’s Chief Executive Lynn Perry MBE said the latest polling suggests there is support for a change in the law.

She explained: “Physical punishment is unacceptable. We know it is harmful for their health and development - whilst there is also strong evidence that it influences their attitudes to violence.

“The NSPCC’s new polling confirms that a majority of the public share our belief that physically punishing a child is unacceptable.

“It’s time for children to be legally protected from all physical punishment everywhere in the UK.”