Prime Minister Keir Starmer has confirmed that smartphone bans will become mandatory in all schools across England, marking a significant shift in government policy after sustained pressure from opposition figures, educators, and parents.
Until now, the government had relied on non-binding guidance encouraging schools to limit phone use. Starmer had argued that most institutions were already enforcing restrictions. However, the policy will now be strengthened by law, requiring schools to follow the rules unless they can justify an exemption.
The change was announced in the House of Lords during discussions on the schools bill, following an amendment introduced by Baroness Barran. The proposal, which passed with a majority of 107 votes, sought to prohibit students from bringing smartphones into schools. The Lords had previously supported a similar measure earlier this year.
Education minister Baroness Smith of Malvern said the updated legislation would ensure that existing guidance carries legal weight, making compliance compulsory for schools. She emphasized that the government had responded to concerns raised by both parliament and school leaders.
Earlier this year, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson had already urged schools to adopt full-day phone bans. The Department for Education reiterated that most schools already enforce such policies, and the new law simply formalizes current practice.
The move has been welcomed by Conservatives, with shadow education secretary Laura Trott describing it as a positive step toward improving classroom behaviour and academic performance.
However, school leaders have suggested the impact may be limited. Pepe Di’Iasio, head of the Association of School and College Leaders, noted that phones are already banned in most classrooms. He called instead for additional funding to help schools implement secure storage solutions such as lockers or locked pouches.
Public opinion appears to strongly support the restrictions. Polling indicates that only 5% of parents believe phones should be allowed during lessons. Data from the children’s commissioner shows that nearly all primary schools and the vast majority of secondary schools already limit phone use.
The government is also considering further measures, including potential restrictions on social media access for under-16s, as part of a broader effort to improve child safety online.
