Former England footballer Alan Shearer and actor Sir Michael Caine have joined calls for the prime minister to ban smacking.

The pair are among a host of famous faces and campaigners who have signed a letter to Sir Keir Starmer, which Downing Street will receive later today.

It urges him to be "brave and lead with courage and compassion" to end the "damaging and harmful practice".

The letter follows calls from health experts and children's charities for a UK-wide smacking ban .

Smacking was made illegal in Wales in 2022 and in Scotland two years prior.

But in England, the Children's Act allows for smacking in cases where it is "reasonable punishment". There is also a similar allowance in Northern Ireland.

The letter - co-ordinated by the NSPCC, backed by the Barnardo's charity an

See Full Page