The UK government has announced plans to introduce a ban on mobile phones in schools in England by making existing guidance a legal requirement, in an effort to ensure the passage of critical child safeguarding legislation.

The amendment will be added to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill in the House of Lords, after the bill faced delays from opposition peers.

Education Minister Jacqui Smith said the move reflects strong public and parliamentary concern, adding that the government is committed to placing current guidance on a statutory footing to create a clear legal obligation for schools.

Although the government had previously argued that most schools already enforce phone restrictions, it described the decision as a “pragmatic measure” to move the bill forward.

The legislation is considered one of the most significant child protection reforms in decades, also proposing a compulsory register for children outside the school system, stricter controls on children’s social care providers, and a unique identifier system to better track child welfare.

Meanwhile, Pepe Di’Iasio of the Association of School and College Leaders noted that the statutory ban may not bring major changes, as most schools already restrict phone use, but called for government funding to support secure storage solutions.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson had earlier urged schools to remain phone-free throughout the day, though such guidance was not legally binding.

Research by the Children’s Commissioner for England found that nearly all primary schools and the vast majority of secondary schools already have policies limiting mobile phone use, but the new legal requirement is expected to provide clearer authority for school leaders.