Newcastle United legend signs letter to Sir Keir Starmer calling for major law change
Alan Shearer has joined Oscar-winning actor Sir Michael Caine in penning a letter to change the law around corporal punishment.
Alan Shearer has joined a list of high-profile figures in calling for England to ban smacking children as a punishment.
Wales outlawed the practice - as well as any form of hitting, slapping and shaking to discipline a child - in 2022. Scotland were the first UK nation to do so two years earlier, with England and Northern Ireland yet to follow suit.
While smacking is technically unlawful under the Children Act 2004, an exemption exists that allows parents to use “reasonable punishment”. A letter - led by the NSPCC and backed by Barnardo's charity - now calls for the law to change.
Newcastle United legend Shearer and Oscar-winning actor Sir Michael Caine are among a list of famous names who have signed the letter to the Labour leader. The Department for Education has recently stated it is assessing the recent changes in Wales and Scotland before considering any action.
Addressing Sir Keir, a snippet of the letter reads: “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.
“Prime Minister, this is your opportunity to be brave and lead with courage and compassion. We ask you to stand up, alongside us, for every child’s right to safety, dignity, and respect. It’s time to end the physical punishment of children in England, for good.”
BAFTA-winning actress Samantha Morton - an NSPCC ambassador - added: “Physical punishment of children is never reasonable, and the law in England needs to be changed to address this. It’s vague, it’s harmful, and it leaves children less protected than adults. I’m proud to stand with the NSPCC at Downing Street today and call on the Government to act to protect children and ensure that the law is clear, equal and most of all, keeps every child safe from harm.”