More than half of parents want to BAN homework

More than half of parents think that homework is a waste of time and adds extra stress on children. It follows a poll by Good Morning Britain showing 52% in favour of a ban and 48% against one.

Gary Lineker and Eamonn Holmes have hit out at schools calling homework 'a waste of time', claiming it instigates stress at home.

Despite a majority vote for a ban on homework for school children, the subject is splitting opinion and was hotly debated on today's Good Morning Britain. Child behaviour expert, Lorrine Marer claims homework should be banned, whilst founder and headteacher of Britain's 'strictest school' Katharine Birbalsingh, says homework is a vital part of learning and teaches self-discipline.

This morning they went head-to-head on Good Morning Britain to argue their points.

The debate follows tweets by comedian and actor Rob Delaney, known for his role in Channel Four's Catastrophe.

He originally sparked the debate when he wrote on Twitter: "Why do they give seven-year-olds so much homework in the UK and how do I stop this?"

Many jumped to support the star's plea, including a host of celebrities such as Romesh Ranga and Jason Manford.

But Piers Morgan had other ideas and suggested in a tweet to Gary Lineker, that parents who support a ban on homework are "lazy ". He added: "As a nation, we're falling so far behind educational standards of countries like China, it's embarrassing. Telling our kids to now give up on homework seems a perverse response to this...."

'Homework is a waste of time'

Piers Morgan was quick to defend his thoughts on the need for homework.