Shearer and Caine urge UK Prime Minister to Outlaw Smacking
London, UK - Former England footballer Alan Shearer and actor Sir Michael Caine are among a growing number of prominent figures calling on the Prime Minister to ban smacking in England. The pair have signed a letter addressed to Sir Keir Starmer, set to be delivered to Downing Street today, urging him to ”be brave and lead with courage and compassion” to end the practise.
The call for a ban follows similar appeals from health experts and children’s charities, including the NSPCC, Barnardo’s, and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, who describe the existing legal allowance for “reasonable punishment” as an “outdated and damaging defense.”
Smacking is already illegal in Wales, as 2022, and in Scotland, since 2020. However, the children’s Act currently permits smacking in England and Northern Ireland under certain conditions.
Signatories of the letter are advocating for an amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill – currently before Parliament – to enact a full ban.
Sir Michael caine, known for roles in films like Italian job, Zulu, and Batman, stated he was “proud” to sign the letter.He added,”Many other countries around the world,including Wales and Scotland,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.”
A Department for Education spokesperson indicated there are “no plans to legislate at this stage,” noting the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill focuses on “wholesale reform of the children’s social care system and better information sharing between education, health and social workers to stop vulnerable children falling through the cracks.”
