In a solemn statement, Keir Starmer expressed the Government’s deep regret for a distressing post-war tragedy that resulted in tens of thousands of unmarried mothers being compelled to surrender their children for adoption. The Prime Minister characterized the coerced adoption as a dark chapter in the nation’s past and admitted the state’s culpability in causing suffering and distress. An estimated 185,000 babies were forcibly adopted between 1949 and 1976 in England and Wales.
During an official apology to Parliament, the Prime Minister acknowledged that many women were deprived of genuine choices, made to feel ashamed or inadequate, and that children had their identities and histories taken from them. Fathers and extended families were also impacted, with repercussions spanning lifetimes and sometimes generations.
Addressing Members of Parliament, he emphasized that the mistreatment of thousands of mothers, children, and families was a grave injustice. He condemned the coercion, bullying, and deception that led many vulnerable and unsupported young mothers to believe they had no alternative but to part with their children. These actions, he stressed, were not isolated incidents but were ingrained practices within various institutions operating with authority over people’s lives.
Expressing profound remorse, the Prime Minister conveyed apologies to mothers who were deemed unfit, prevented from caring for their beloved children, and burdened with enduring loss. He also extended apologies to children separated from their families, stripped of their identities and histories, and at times their safety, as well as to fathers marginalized in decision-making processes.
Keir Starmer revealed a £4 million initiative over three years to assist those affected, with funds allocated for facilitating access to adoption records, family reconnections, and research endeavors to document the long-term effects on individuals’ lives. Additionally, the government pledged to collaborate with NHS England to enhance access to suitable health support, especially for individuals facing mental health challenges.
Commending the resilience of impacted families, the Prime Minister lauded their courage during a gathering at No10 Downing Street. The occasion preceded a reception for advocates in Parliament, with Bridget Phillipson set to attend.
In his mea culpa, Mr. Starmer accepted the Government’s responsibility for endorsing and enabling systems that allowed such practices to persist. He acknowledged the state’s failure to safeguard mothers, children, and families adequately, leading to ongoing harm.
Numerous families have struggled within a system where records were misplaced, altered, or not readily accessible to those seeking answers. The government, having funded and relied on inadequately supervised systems, vowed to monitor the effectiveness of the £4 million support package over time and consider the need for further investigations.
While England has received the official apology, both Scotland and Wales have issued their own apologies for past wrongs. In Northern Ireland, efforts are underway to establish a statutory public inquiry into Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries, and Workhouses under the leadership of the Northern Ireland Executive.
If affected by historical forced adoption practices, FamilyConnect provides confidential support, including counseling, record tracing, and assistance with reunification where appropriate. Support can be accessed by calling 0300 1800 205 or visiting their website.
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