The traumatic legacy of forced adoptions has finally begun to receive the recognition it deserves. In a landmark move, the UK Government has formally apologised for its role in this "shameful chapter" in British history, which saw an estimated 185,000 mothers and adopted individuals torn apart from their families between 1949 and 1976.
Delivering the apology in Parliament, Prime Minister Keir Starmer acknowledged the state's complicity in a system that denied women genuine choice and separated children from their birth families. Addressing campaigners present in the House gallery, Mr Starmer stated: "The shame is not yours. The shame was never yours. The shame is ours. And I say it to every single person impacted, we are deeply and profoundly sorry." His words acknowledged the lasting harm inflicted across generations.
Complementing the apology, the government has unveiled a £4 million package of support over three years. This investment will improve access to adoption records, expand services like Family Connect that help people reconnect with family members, and commission research and testimonial projects to document the long-term impact of these practices. The Coram BAAF charity is expected to play a key role in facilitating access to adoption records.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson echoed the Prime Minister's sentiments, highlighting the "unimaginable pain" carried by those affected. She added: "Today, on behalf of the British state, we say with one voice: this was wrong, and we are sorry. An apology cannot undo what happened, but it can be the start of real change, alongside providing the practical action, care and support that people need." The government acknowledged that its funding and reliance on systems lacking consistent oversight contributed to lost or altered records and a failure to protect families.
The package also includes working with NHS England to improve access to appropriate health support, including mental health services, developing peer support networks, and strengthening awareness across public services. A lived experience reference group will be established to review progress, and a testimonials project will capture the stories of those impacted. This apology and support package specifically relate to historical adoption practices within England, with Scotland and Wales having issued their own apologies. Northern Ireland is currently undertaking work to establish a statutory public inquiry into related institutions.
Source: Prime Minister's Office