Sir Michael Caine and Alan Shearer have joined a campaign urging Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to outlaw the 'outdated' law that allows physical punishment of children in England. In a letter delivered to Downing Street on Tuesday, the actors and former footballer, alongside other celebrities, called for the removal of the 'reasonable punishment' defence under the Children Act 2004.
The campaign, coordinated by the NSPCC and supported by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and Barnardo's, argues that children in England currently have less protection from harm than adults. The letter states that 'it is never reasonable to hit a child' and that the current law sends a dangerous message that striking a child can be excused.
Under Section 58 of the Children Act 2004, it is unlawful for a parent or carer to smack a child except where deemed 'reasonable punishment'. This defence is not defined in the legislation and is assessed on a case-by-case basis, considering factors such as the child's age and the nature of the smack. Campaigners want a ban introduced through an amendment to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, currently before Parliament.
Actress Samantha Morton, an NSPCC ambassador, said: '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.' Paediatric consultant Professor Andrew Rowland noted that robust scientific evidence shows physical punishment harms children's physical and mental health with no positive effects.
Wales and Scotland have already banned all forms of corporal punishment, in 2022 and 2020 respectively. However, a Department for Education spokesperson said: 'While we are looking closely at the legal changes made in Wales and Scotland... we have no plans to legislate at this stage.' The letter urges the Prime Minister to 'be brave and lead with courage and compassion' to end physical punishment of children in England.
