Smacking 'no more effective' than other discipline methods

Credit: PA

Smacking and other forms of physical punishment is no more effective than other forms of discipline of children, says a new report.

Wales Centre for Public Policy says there are no clear clear benefits to smacking.

Read more: Calls to ban 'ineffective and outdated' smacking

It is currently against the law for a parent or carer to physically punish their child, except where this amounts to ‘reasonable punishment’.

Read more: Smacking ban would 'criminalise parents' say campaigners

The Welsh Government plans to introduce legislation which would ban smacking in Wales.

The proposed legislation would not result in the creation of a new offence but would instead remove a defence to the existing offences of assault and battery.

Read more: More support for smacking ban

If implemented, the ban would make Wales the second area of the UK to end the physical punishment of children after Scotland.

Other countries that have already made the change include France, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Ireland.