Alan Shearer and Sir Michael Caine have jointly called on Keir Starmer to implement a complete ban on smacking in England. A coalition of advocates and well-known figures, including actors Natalie Dormer and Samantha Morton, have penned a letter to the Prime Minister, urging for a legal amendment to ensure children receive the same protection from harm as adults.
The letter, set to be hand-delivered to No10, highlights concerns about the current law, stating that it sends a troubling message that physical discipline of children is acceptable. This initiative follows a YouGov poll in August revealing that 81% of parents believe using force against a child goes beyond acceptable boundaries.
While Wales and Scotland have already outlawed corporal punishment, including smacking, in England, it remains lawful to physically discipline a child under the guise of “reasonable punishment,” a criterion determined on a case-by-case basis. Advocates argue that this legal loophole must be closed to safeguard children.
Coordinated by the NSPCC and backed by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, as well as children’s charity Barnardo’s, the letter emphasizes, “Hitting a child is never ‘reasonable.’ It constitutes harm, plain and simple. The current law sends a dangerous signal that hitting a child can be justified.”
In a direct plea to Mr. Starmer, the coalition urges him to take a stand for every child’s right to safety, dignity, and respect. They call for an end to physical punishment of children in England, emphasizing the need for permanent change.
A recent UCL study in 2024 revealed that over one in five 10-year-olds experienced physical punishment in the UK between 2020 and 2021. Advocates are pushing for the inclusion of a smacking ban in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill currently progressing through Parliament.
Sir Michael expressed his support for the NSPCC’s campaign, affirming that it’s time for England to follow the lead of other nations like Wales and Scotland in protecting children from physical harm.
Samantha Morton, a Bafta-winning actor and NSPCC supporter, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that the vague and harmful nature of current laws in England leaves children inadequately shielded. She stressed the importance of clear, equal, and protective legislation for all children.
Responding to the calls for legislative change, a Department for Education spokesperson stated that while they are monitoring the legal developments in Wales and Scotland regarding reasonable punishment, there are no immediate plans to enact similar measures. They highlighted the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill as a pivotal component of their child protection strategy, aiming for significant reforms within the children’s social care system to enhance safeguarding measures.
The collective efforts of advocates, supported by influential figures and organizations, aim to bring about lasting change in legislation to ensure the safety and well-being of all children in England.