Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has delivered a long-awaited state apology for the historical forced adoption of babies from unmarried mothers in the decades after the Second World War, branding the practice a 'stain on our history'. Speaking in the House of Commons on Thursday, he told survivors: 'The shame was never yours, the shame is ours.'
Women whose babies were taken from them watched from the public gallery, many wiping away tears as the apology was delivered. The Prime Minister acknowledged the 'double injustice' suffered by campaigners, who had to wait so long for a formal apology from the Westminster Government.
Estimated 185,000 babies affected
While no exact figure exists, an estimated 185,000 babies of unmarried mothers were adopted in England and Wales between 1949 and 1976. Mothers forced to give up their babies have described the harrowing experience of having them taken away and the lasting feelings of shame. Adult adoptees have spoken of a 'harmful narrative' that adoption had saved them.
Sir Keir told MPs what happened to 'tens of thousands of mothers, children, and families, should never have happened'. He added: 'It is a stain on our history. Mothers, many young, vulnerable and without support, were coerced, bullied, or misled into feeling that they had no choice but to have their children taken away from them. What a thing to do.'
Systemic failures across institutions
The Prime Minister emphasised that these were 'not isolated or accidental acts' but practices 'embedded within systems across local authorities, across voluntary and faith-based institutions, and in health and social care services, including parts of what is now the NHS'. He said these institutions 'operated with power over people's lives, yet they did so without compassion, without consent, and without dignity or proper safeguards'.
He noted the practices were 'particularly prevalent between 1949 and 1976, but also extended beyond those years'. The harms were 'compounded by the actions and failures of the state', with governments having 'funded, enabled and relied on systems that were not consistently or effectively overseen' – adding that the 'state did not prevent harm from continuing'.
Apology follows years of campaigning
The formal apology recognises the 'lifelong trauma' endured by mothers who had their babies forcibly adopted, according to the Movement for an Adoption Apology (MAA). The campaign group, founded in 2010, said: 'Though this apology has come too late for a significant number of people, it is a positive step for the hundreds of thousands of mothers still living with loss, whose suffering has at last been acknowledged, and for the children who were taken – now adult adoptees – whose lifelong trauma has now been recognised.'
The Adult Adoptee Movement said the apology is for 'the adoptees who were taken at their most vulnerable and sent to strangers'. Children had suffered in many forms, through loss of 'their wider family, medical history, culture, language or nationality' while some had 'suffered abuse, neglect or racism in their adoptive homes; who grew up hearing they were from 'bad blood', should be 'grateful', or had been 'saved''. They added: 'It marks a fundamental correction of the narrative on historic adoption practices. What happened to you was wrong.'
Support package announced
While no compensation scheme has been put in place, a £4 million support package over three years has been announced to help those affected. The funding will go towards better access to adoption records and improved services for family reunion, the Government said. Campaigners have called for trauma-informed counselling, and the Government promised ministers will work with NHS England to improve access to 'appropriate health support, including with mental health challenges'.
The Government also pledged to commission a project to gather testimonials from those with experience of historical forced adoption. The support announced is in response to what survivors have said is most needed: 'being able to understand their past, access records, reconnect with family where possible and receive support that recognises what they have lived through'.
Church of England apology preceded state apology
The Westminster apology comes two weeks after one from the Church of England for its role in historic forced adoption. Archbishop of Canterbury Dame Sarah Mullally said the impact on families had been 'lifelong' for many and noted survivors had spoken of the 'indignity' they faced. She apologised for the 'pain, trauma and stigma' caused, adding there was a deep shame that the practice had happened to people 'in the care of Christian communities', telling survivors the 'shame is ours'.
In Northern Ireland, an apology is also expected but not until after a public inquiry has been carried out, following a recommendation from a 2021 report on mother and baby institutions, Magdalene laundries and workhouses.
