The UK government has announced it will introduce a statutory ban on mobile phones in schools in England, converting existing non-binding guidance into a legal requirement. The move came after the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill — described as the most significant child protection legislation in decades — was repeatedly delayed in the House of Lords by opposition peers. Education minister Jacqui Smith framed the decision as a pragmatic concession to secure passage of the broader bill, which also includes measures such as a compulsory register for home-schooled children and a crackdown on profiteering in children's social care. While the vast majority of schools already restrict phone use — research found 99.8% of primary schools and 90% of secondary schools had relevant policies in place — school leaders welcomed the legal clarity the statutory footing will provide.