UK moves toward phone ban

The UK government will amend the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill to make smartphone bans in England’s schools statutory. (bbc.com) Baroness Jacqui Smith told the House of Lords on Monday, April 20, 2026, that ministers will table an amendment to create “a clear legal requirement” for schools. (bloomberg.com) The amendment would put Department for Education guidance from January–February 2026 onto a statutory footing and effectively turn advisory rules into enforceable law. (gov.uk) Officials say the change closes a patchwork system—where headteachers could set their own rules—by giving Ofsted and inspectors a basis to assess phone policies. (sky.com) Teachers and some unions welcomed clearer rules but warned a statutory ban will add enforcement burdens in classrooms and flagged “addiction‑like” behaviour among pupils. (schoolsweek.co.uk) The move follows a global trend: UNESCO reported 114 education systems had national phone bans as of March 2026. (unesco.org) Peers voted 276 to 169 in favour of a recent Lords amendment backing a full smartphone ban during the school day, though Commons scrutiny is expected next. (independent.co.uk) Schools that already restrict phones use lockers, pouches or “phone hotels,” but research and administrations warn students can bypass rules with smartwatches or hidden devices. (govtech.com) Ministers will table the amendment in the Lords this week and say the change “builds on the steps we’ve already taken”; the bill must still clear parliamentary stages to become law. (bills.parliament.uk)