Renowned figures Alan Shearer and Sir Michael Caine have jointly called on Keir Starmer to implement a complete prohibition on smacking in England. A coalition of activists and celebrities, including actors Natalie Dormer and Samantha Morton, penned a letter to the Prime Minister advocating for a change in legislation to afford children the same protection from harm as adults.
The missive, set to be hand-delivered to No10, highlights concerns that the current law tacitly condones striking children, a notion deemed perilous by the signatories. This initiative follows a YouGov survey from August revealing that 81% of parents believe using physical force against a child is unacceptable.
In contrast to Wales and Scotland, where corporal punishment, encompassing smacking, hitting, slapping, and shaking, has been outlawed, England permits hitting children under the guise of “reasonable punishment,” subject to case-specific assessments. Advocates are pushing for the closure of this legal loophole to safeguard children.
The letter, coordinated by the NSPCC and endorsed by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and Barnardo’s, unequivocally states, “We firmly oppose the notion that hitting a child could ever be deemed ‘reasonable.’ It constitutes harm, plain and simple. The existing law perpetuates a dangerous narrative that justifies physical discipline.”
In a direct plea to Mr. Starmer, the coalition implored him to exhibit bravery and empathy by championing every child’s entitlement to safety, dignity, and respect. The call is made to permanently eradicate physical punishment of children in England.
A study by UCL in 2024 revealed that over 20% of 10-year-olds in the UK experienced physical punishment in 2020 and 2021. Advocates are advocating for the inclusion of a ban in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill currently progressing through Parliament.
Sir Michael endorsed the campaign, emphasizing the urgency of aligning England’s laws with those of Wales and Scotland to shield children from physical discipline. He urged England to follow suit and relinquish this detrimental practice.
Bafta-winning actress Samantha Morton, a staunch supporter of the NSPCC, echoed these sentiments, condemning physical punishment as unjustifiable and detrimental to children’s well-being. She urged the Government to rectify the vague and harmful English law to ensure equal protection for children.
In response, a Department for Education spokesperson disclosed that while they are monitoring legal modifications in Wales and Scotland regarding reasonable punishment, there are no immediate plans for legislation. The spokesperson touted the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill as a monumental step in child protection, promising comprehensive reforms to fortify the social care system and enhance inter-agency information sharing to prevent vulnerable children from slipping through the cracks.
