Sir Michael Caine and Alan Shearer are leading a campaign urging Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to outlaw an “outdated” law in England that still allows parents to physically punish their children through smacking. The actors and former footballer, along with other prominent figures such as Natalie Dormer and Samantha Morton, have written a letter calling for change, to be delivered to Downing Street on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.
The Campaign for Change
The letter, coordinated by the NSPCC and supported by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and Barnardo’s, argues that the current law in England provides less protection for children than for adults when it comes to physical harm. Despite being unlawful to hit a child under the Children Act 2004, the law still allows for an exception where smacking is deemed “reasonable punishment.” The signatories of the letter claim this legal defense for smacking is outdated, harmful, and sends a dangerous message that physical punishment of children can be justified.
The letter urges Prime Minister Starmer to “be brave and lead with courage and compassion” by taking action to end the physical punishment of children once and for all. The campaigners are calling for a ban to be introduced through an amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which is currently making its way through Parliament.
The Signatories’ Stance
The signatories of the letter, including actors Natalie Dormer and Samantha Morton, argue that physical punishment is never “reasonable” and is, in fact, harmful to children’s health and wellbeing. Morton, a Bafta-winning actress and NSPCC ambassador, emphasized the negative effects of physical punishment on children’s mental, physical, and emotional health. She said, “Physical punishment of children is never reasonable, and the law in England needs to be changed to address this.”
The NSPCC’s stance is that striking a child is “harm, plain and simple,” and that the existing law sends a harmful message. According to the NSPCC, the law should be clear and unequivocal in its protection of children, ensuring that they are safe from any form of physical harm.
Comparison with Wales and Scotland
The issue of smacking children has already been addressed in Wales and Scotland. Wales made all forms of corporal punishment, including smacking, illegal in March 2022, while Scotland introduced a similar law in November 2020. The campaigners point to these legal changes as a model for England, calling for a unified approach to child protection across the UK.
The Science Behind the Call for Change
Paediatric consultant Professor Andrew Rowland, who supports the campaign, explained the scientific evidence behind the harmful effects of physical punishment. He said that “physical punishment of children undoubtedly harms children’s health on a population basis,” leading to increased risks of serious physical assault, as well as mental and emotional harm. He stressed that there is no scientific evidence supporting any positive effects from physical punishment.
Government’s Response
The Department for Education responded to the campaign by acknowledging the legal changes in Wales and Scotland, but stated that it had no current plans to legislate on the issue in England. A spokesperson for the department noted that the landmark Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which focuses on reforming the children’s social care system and improving information sharing between services, represents a significant effort to protect vulnerable children.
Conclusion
The campaign to end the legal defense for smacking children in England has gained significant attention, with public figures like Sir Michael Caine, Alan Shearer, and Samantha Morton pushing for a change. As the debate continues, the focus remains on protecting children from harm and ensuring that the law provides them with the same protections against physical punishment as adults.
Closing Line
This story may be updated with more information as it becomes available.
