Singer Heidi Range is among other famous faces who have signed NSCCP’s open letter to Sir Keir Starmer pressing him to change the law on smacking children.
Downing Street will receive the letter later today.
Former England footballer Alan Shearer and actor Sir Michael Caine have also signed.
The letter addressed to the Prime Minister from the NSCCP urging him to ‘be brave and lead with courage and compassion.’ In changing the law to protect children.
The letter reads: “This outdated defence has no place in 21st century England.
“The evidence is overwhelming. Decades of research shows that harming a child can have lasting consequences, undermining their mental health, damaging trust and worsening behaviour.”
All punishments using physical force against children in Wales – smacking, hitting, slapping and shaking became illegal in 2022.
Scotland brought a similar ban two years prior.
However, in England the Children’s Act allows for smacking as a force justifiable as ‘reasonable punishment’.
NSPCC research highlights: “The number of people who think smacking, hitting, slapping, or shaking a child is not acceptable has risen from 67% in 2023 to 71% in 2024*”
You can sign the NSPCC petition to end the physical punishment of children here
