SNP Pledges National Classroom Phone Ban if Re-Elected

Overview

• First Minister John Swinney put the plan in the SNP manifesto, calling phones a distraction and promising legislation after the election.
• Current Scottish Government guidance leaves phone rules to headteachers, which has led to uneven policies between schools.
• Swinney said a national law would create a full classroom ban to support teaching and learning across the country.
• Scottish Labour endorsed a ban and accused the SNP of a late U-turn, while Liberal Democrat Willie Rennie welcomed the shift and said his party pushed the idea first.
• Background from 2024 shows Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth backed headteacher discretion and later considered stronger action, and other places such as North London and Northern Ireland have already moved to restrict phones.