Sir Michael Caine has called on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to outlaw the smacking of children in England.
The 92-year-old actor, alongside former England footballer Alan Shearer and actors Natalie Dormer and Samantha Morton, signed an open letter delivered to Downing Street on Monday. The letter, coordinated by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC), argues that England’s current law leaves children with less protection from physical harm than adults.
Under the existing Children Act 2004, it is illegal to hit a child unless it amounts to reasonable punishment.
The letter urges the government to follow the examples of Wales and Scotland, which banned all forms of corporal punishment in 2022 and 2020, respectively.
Michael, who has spoken openly about childhood trauma during World War II, said he was proud to support the campaign, thereby urging Starmerto lead with courage and compassion.
“Now is the moment for England to join them and draw a line under this damaging and harmful practice once and for all,” he said.
Samantha Morton, a Bafta-winning actress and NSPCC ambassador, added that physical punishment is “never reasonable and that the current law leaves children less protected than adults.”
Chris Sherwood, NSPCC chief executive, said more than 65 countries had already legislated to protect children from physical punishment, adding: “The evidence is crystal clear it is harmful, ineffective, and damages family relationships.”
Campaigners hope the ban will be introduced through the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill currently before Parliament.
A Department for Education spokesperson said the government was reviewing the legal changes made in Wales and Scotland but had “no plans to legislate at this stage.”
