Alan Shearer and Sir Michael Caine have called on Keir Starmer to implement a complete ban on smacking in England. A coalition of activists and well-known personalities, including actors Natalie Dormer and Samantha Morton, have penned a letter to the Prime Minister urging for a legal change to ensure children are safeguarded from harm, similar to adults.
The letter, to be personally delivered to No10, emphasizes that the current legislation normalizes the idea that physically disciplining a child is acceptable. This initiative follows a YouGov survey in August, revealing that 81% of parents believe using force on a child is inappropriate.
In March 2022, Wales prohibited corporal punishment, encompassing smacking, hitting, slapping, and shaking, while Scotland introduced a comparable ban in November 2020. In England, hitting a child is illegal except under the guise of “reasonable punishment,” a subjective assessment based on individual cases. Advocates are advocating for the closure of this legal loophole to better protect children.
The joint letter, organized by the NSPCC and endorsed by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, along with children’s charity Barnardo’s, asserts that hitting a child can never be considered reasonable and is a form of harm. They urge Prime Minister Starmer to display bravery and compassion by championing every child’s entitlement to safety, dignity, and respect, signaling the need to permanently end physical discipline of children in England.
A UCL study from 2024 uncovered that over 20% of 10-year-olds in the UK experienced physical punishment in 2020 and 2021. Advocates are lobbying for the inclusion of a ban in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill currently progressing through Parliament.
Sir Michael expressed his support for the NSPCC campaign, emphasizing the necessity to align England’s laws with those of Wales and Scotland to ensure children are equally protected from physical harm.
Samantha Morton, a Bafta award-winning actress and NSPCC advocate, highlighted the urgency of amending English laws to eliminate ambiguity and provide equal protection for children compared to adults.
In response, a Department for Education spokesperson mentioned a thorough examination of the legal alterations in Wales and Scotland concerning reasonable punishment but stated no immediate plans for legislation. They emphasized the significance of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill in enhancing child protection measures and preventing vulnerable children from being overlooked.
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