'Smacking a child is harm, plain & simple. PM, we ask you to stand up for them'

FILM icon Sir Michael Caine and football legend Alan Shearer are among the stars who will today urge Keir Starmer to impose a total ban on smacking in England.

- BY LIZZY BUCHAN Political Editor

A group of campaigners and famous faces, including actresses Natalie Dormer and Samantha Morton, have written to the Prime Minister to demand a law change so that children have the same protection from harm as adults.

The letter, to be delivered to No10, highlights the fact that it is still legal to strike your youngsters if it can be deemed “reasonable punishment”.