Sir Keir Starmer is set to deliver an official apology on behalf of the UK government regarding the state’s involvement in forced adoptions across England and Wales. During the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, approximately 185,000 babies were separated from their mothers, often due to societal pressure on unmarried women.
This decision follows years of advocacy from affected families and survivors. Campaigners are scheduled to meet with the Prime Minister at Downing Street prior to his address to the House of Commons. The move follows a March report by the Joint Committee on Human Rights (JCHR), which concluded that government policies cultivated an environment where unmarried mothers faced coercion and shaming.
While the inquiry did not explicitly mandate financial compensation, it urged the government to review how other jurisdictions, including Australia and Ireland, have handled historical reparations. The JCHR also highlighted that religious groups and charities played a significant role in managing the institutions where these adoptions occurred. The Church of England offered its own apology in June, acknowledging the deep trauma inflicted on families.
This anticipated statement follows similar apologies previously issued by the governments of Scotland and Wales. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson noted that the Prime Minister intends to address this period with the gravity it requires, formally recognizing the state’s failure to provide care and compassion to these women.
