In a powerful push for legal reform, Sir Michael Caine and football icon Alan Shearer have joined forces with celebrities and child welfare experts to urge Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to outlaw the physical punishment of children in England.
Stars Call on PM to Ban Smacking
In a letter set to land on the Prime Minister’s desk this week, the group appeals for a long-overdue change in the law one that protects children from what they call an “outdated and harmful practice”.
“I am proud to be part of the call for an end to such a damaging and harmful practice,” said Sir Michael Caine.
Currently, smacking remains legal in England under the Children Act 2004, where parents can defend hitting a child as “reasonable punishment”. This is assessed individually by the courts — a legal grey area that campaigners say fails to provide adequate protection for children.
By contrast:
- Wales banned all forms of corporal punishment in March 2022
- Scotland followed suit in November 2020
- Northern Ireland retains a similar defence to England, and any change would require Stormont approval
The letter, coordinated by the NSPCC and supported by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and Barnardo’s, doesn’t mince words.
“We believe that it is never ‘reasonable’ to hit a child. It is harm, plain and simple. And the current law sends a dangerous message that striking a child can be excused.”
A Moment for Leadership, Say Campaigners
The signatories — including actresses Natalie Dormer and Samantha Morton — are urging Sir Keir to “lead with courage and compassion”, framing the issue as a test of moral leadership in modern Britain.
“Prime Minister, this is your opportunity to be brave… It’s time to end the physical punishment of children in England, for good.”
The call is for the Government to introduce a legal amendment through the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which is currently under parliamentary review. Campaigners argue this is the perfect legislative vehicle to bring about meaningful change.
Despite progress across the UK, England still allows physical punishment under certain conditions. Campaigners — with support from big names say it’s time to catch up with the rest of Britain and stand unequivocally for children’s rights.
Sir Michael Caine, reflecting on the progress made in Scotland and Wales, believes the time has come for England to follow suit.
“Many other countries around the world… have already changed the law to ensure children have the same protection from being hit as adults… Now is the moment for England to join them and draw a line under this damaging and harmful practice once and for all.”
Actress Samantha Morton, a long-time advocate for children’s welfare and NSPCC ambassador, echoed this stance.
“Physical punishment of children is never reasonable, and the law in England needs to be changed… It’s vague, it’s harmful, and it leaves children less protected than adults.”
She joined campaigners delivering the letter to Downing Street, calling on the Government to make the law “clear, equal, and most of all, keep every child safe from harm.”
In response, a Department for Education spokesperson acknowledged the developments in Wales and Scotland but stopped short of promising change.
“While we are looking closely at the legal changes made in Wales and Scotland… we have no plans to legislate at this stage.”
They pointed to the broader ambitions of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, calling it “the most transformative piece of child protection legislation in a generation”.
But for campaigners, the message is clear: until physical punishment is banned outright, England remains behind in safeguarding its most vulnerable.
With celebrity backing and mounting public pressure, the question now lands squarely at the feet of Sir Keir Starmer: will he be the leader to draw a firm line in the sand on smacking and give every child in England the protection they deserve?
