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Actor Sir Michael Caine and football legend Alan Shearer have urged the Prime Minister to ban smacking and urged him to lead with “courage and compassion”.
Their petition is included in a letter to Sir Keir Starmer due for Downing Street delivery on Tuesday, which has been signed by a number of celebrities.
Sir Michael said he was “proud to be part of the call to end such a ‘harmful and damaging practice'”.
Signatories, including actors Natalie Dormer and Samantha Morton, argue that smacking remains legal because English law offers children less protection from physical harm than adults.
Wells made any kind of corporal penaltySpanking, beating, slapping and shaking were made illegal in March 2022, while Scotland introduced a similar ban in November 2020.
But according to the Children’s Act 2004, which applies in England, it is illegal to hit your child, except if it is “reasonable punishment”, and this is decided on a case-by-case basis.
Northern Ireland also has a similar protection against smacking and changes to the law there would require the consent of the Stormont Executive.
The letter states that “outdated and harmful defenses in the law still allow a parent or guardian to argue that it is OK to physically harm their child”.
The signatories say it “has no place in 21st century England”.
The letter, coordinated by the NSPCC and supported by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and children’s charity Barnardo’s, said: “We believe it is never justifiable to hit a child.
“This is harm, plain and simple. And the current law sends a dangerous message that hitting a child can be forgiven.”
Addressing Sir Keir directly, the signatories said: “Prime Minister, this is your opportunity to be brave and lead with courage and compassion.
“We ask you to stand with us for every child’s right to safety, dignity and respect. Now is the time to end corporal punishment of children in England forever.”
Sir Michael said: “I am proud to sign this letter and support the NSPCC’s campaign to end corporal punishment of children in England.
“Many other countries around the world, including Wales and Scotland, have already changed the law to ensure that children have the same protection from hitting as adults.
“Now is the time for England to join them and draw a line once and for all under this harmful and damaging practice.”
Campaigners want the ban to be introduced through an amendment to the Children’s Welfare and Schools Bill, which is currently making its way through Parliament.
BAFTA-winning actress Morton, who is the NSPCC Ambassador for Childhood, said: “Physical punishment of children is never justified, and the law in England needs to change to address this.
“It’s vague, it’s harmful, and it keeps children less protected than adults.
“I am proud to stand with the NSPCC in Downing Street today and call on the Government to take action to protect children and ensure that the law is clear, equitable and, above all, keeps every child safe from harm.”
A Department for Education spokesperson said: “Although we are closely monitoring the legal changes made in Wales and Scotland in relation to appropriate punishment, we have no plans to legislate at this stage.
“A vital part of our plan for change, the landmark Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill represents the most transformative piece of child protection legislation in a generation, including sweeping reforms to the children’s social care system and better information sharing between education, health and social workers to help vulnerable children fall through the cracks.”