FOOTIE pundit Alan Shearer and actor Sir Michael Caine have urged Sir Keir Starmer to ban the smacking of children.
The pair are among dozens of stars who signed an NSPCC-backed letter being delivered to Downing Street today.
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Sir Michael said he was proud to support the call to end what he described as a “damaging and harmful practice”.
The signatories, including actors Natalie Dormer and Samantha Morton, said children in England have less protection from physical harm than adults because smacking is still legal under certain circumstances.
Wales and Scotland have already banned all forms of corporal punishment.
But in England parents can still claim “reasonable punishment” under the Children Act 2004.
READ MORE ON SMACKING BAN
The letter said this “outdated and damaging defence” has “no place in 21st century England.”
It adds: “It is harm, plain and simple.
“And the current law sends a dangerous message that striking a child can be excused.”
Campaigners want a ban to be legislated for through an amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which is currently making its way through Parliament.
A Department for Education spokesperson said: “While we are looking closely at the legal changes made in Wales and Scotland in relation to reasonable punishment, we have no plans to legislate at this stage.”
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