Smacking law review is announced

Children's minister Beverley Hughes said parents and professionals would be consulted this summer over how present rules were working.

Restrictions were toughened in 2004 to prevent anyone claiming they had administered a "reasonable punishment" if it left visible bruising.

But moves to outlaw any "hitting" of youngsters were rejected.

Last month Britain's four child commissioners called for a total ban, insisting there was was "no room for compromise" on the issue.

But the most recent poll found parents believed smacking was an acceptable way to discipline children.

More than two thirds of parents surveyed said they did use it as a punishment and between 80% and 90% of both parents and adults without families were against a complete ban.

In a written statement, Ms Hughes said the review of Section 58 of the Children Act 2004 - which contains the controversial "reasonable punishment" test, would begin immediately.

The process, promised by her predecessor Margaret Hodge during the passage of the Bill, would involve a "parental income survey" this summer as well as consultation with professionals working with young people, she said.

A report would be published in the autumn but there were "no current plans to change the legislation", she added.