The Education Secretary has said she is "open-minded" about a ban on smacking children, but added there are no imminent plans to change the law.Bridget Phillipson said she would like to hear more from experts on how such a policy could work - a change in tone from the previous Tory government which said it was up to parents to discipline their children.It comes after Children's Commissioner Rachel de Souza said a ban is a necessary safeguarding step and suggested similar measures already in plac

The Education Secretary has said she is "open-minded" about a ban on smacking children, but added there are no imminent plans to change the law.Bridget Phillipson said she would like to hear more from experts on how such a policy could work - a change in tone from the previous Tory government which said it was up to parents to discipline their children.It comes after Children's Commissioner Rachel de Souza said a ban is a necessary safeguarding step and suggested similar measures already in place in Scotland and Wales should be adopted in England.Asked whether she supports that proposal, Ms Phillipson told the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg show: "We are considering it, but this is not an area where we intend to bring forward legislation any time soon.