Keir Starmer to apologise to victims of forced adoption scandal

Survivors of historical forced adoption are set to receive a state apology they have spent decades campaigning for when the prime minister says sorry in parliament.

Sir Keir Starmer is expected to stand in the Commons and acknowledge the harm caused when an estimated 185,000 babies of unmarried mothers were adopted in England and Wales between 1949 and 1976.

His formal apology will come after he meets with campaigners in Downing Street on Thursday morning.

The Joint Committee on Human Rights (JCHR) called for a state apology in 2022, saying “the government bears ultimate responsibility for the pain and suffering caused by public institutions and state employees that railroaded mothers into unwanted adoptions”.

Scotland

Nicola Sturgeon apologises to mothers forced to give up babies for adoption

It is estimated that around 250,000 families in Scotland have been affected by the historical practice.

Mothers forced to give up their babies have described the traumatic experiences of having them taken away and their lingering feelings of shame, while adults who were removed as children from their mothers have spoken of a “harmful narrative” which long persisted that adoption had saved them.

It was confirmed last month by Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson that a long-campaigned-for apology was coming in relation to what she called a “shameful period in our history”.

Education Secretary and Minister for Women and Equalities Bridget Phillipson. / Credit: PA

The Westminster apology comes three years after administrations in Cardiff and Holyrood apologised to people affected across Wales and Scotland.

In Northern Ireland, an apology is also expected, but only after a public inquiry has been conducted.

This was a recommendation of a 2021 report into mother and baby institutions, Magdalene laundries – institutions run by Catholic orders – and workhouses.

Despite the JCHR report recommending ministers apologise, in 2023 the then-Conservative government said it was sorry “on behalf of society” for the way the women had been treated, but did not think a formal apology was appropriate “since the state did not actively support these practices”.

Two weeks ago, the Church of England apologised for its role in forced adoptions, telling survivors the “shame is ours”.

Archbishop of Canterbury Dame Sarah Mullally said the impact on families had been “lifelong” for many and noted survivors who had spoken of the “indignity” they faced.

She apologised for the “pain, trauma and stigma” caused to those affected, adding that there was a deep shame that the practice had happened to people “in the care of Christian communities”.