Sugababes star leading calls for children smacking ban
The Liverpool singer has signed a letter, which will be handed in at Downing Street today
Liverpool singer Heidi Range, best known for being in the Sugababes, is leading calls for the Prime Minister to make smacking children illegal.
Heidi is one of almost 300 public figures, parliamentarians, academics, health professionals, charities and other organisations to sign a letter to Sir Keir Starmer.
It will be handed in at Downing Street today (Tuesday 14 October).
That will follow a rally at Westminster where public figures will meet with cross-party MPs and peers to demand the change.
The letter, coordinated by the NSPCC, highlights what they call the 'outdated and damaging (legal) defence of reasonable punishment' that dangerously 'teaches children that violence 'corrects' behaviour and that those closest to them can also be the ones who hurt them.'
New data reveals that in the last six months, contacts to the NSPCC Helpline from adults with concerns about the physical punishment of children increased by 40% compared to the same period last year.
Practitioners handled 262 contacts from adults between April and September 2025, compared to 184 during the same period in 2024.
65 countries, including Wales and Scotland, have already made all forms of physical punishment against children illegal.
Heidi, who is also an NSPCC Campaigner for Childhood, said:
"I am honoured to be part of this campaign to change the law in England to ensure children can be kept safe and treated with the dignity they deserve.
"As a mother, I am especially passionate about doing everything we can to keep our children safe. Every child has the right to a joyful childhood without fear and we need to unite to make this happen."
Chris Sherwood, CEO at the NSPCC, said:
"With over 65 countries, including Wales and Scotland, already having legislated to protect children from physical punishment, how much longer can England justify waiting?
"The evidence is crystal clear, physical punishment is harmful, ineffective, and damages the trust and wellbeing at the heart of family relationships. The Prime Minister has previously called for England to follow Wales’s lead and remove the outdated defence of ‘reasonable punishment’. Now is his time to act.
"I’m proud to stand alongside so many influential voices urging him to turn words into action and show leadership to ensure children are afforded the same legal protection from assault as adults."
A Department for Education spokesperson ses they're looking closely at the legal changes made in Wales and Scotland - but that they have no plans to legislate at this stage.