The Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has formally apologized to the victims of a historical forced adoption scandal, acknowledging the state's role in the removal of an estimated 185,000 babies from unmarried mothers in England and Wales.
Speaking directly to campaigners in the House of Commons chamber, Starmer stated, "The shame is not yours. The shame was never yours. The shame is ours. And I say on behalf of the whole country, I say it to every single person impacted, we are deeply and profoundly sorry."
Forced adoption took place primarily between 1949 and 1976, with local authorities, voluntary and faith-based institutions, and health and social care services operating without compassion, consent, and proper safeguards, according to the Prime Minister.
Starmer met with campaigners, including mothers and adult adoptees, in Downing Street this morning, before delivering the formal apology. This move comes after years of campaigning by those affected and their families, and follows the Scottish and Welsh governments' own formal apologies in 2023.
As part of the apology, the government has pledged to improve access to adoption records and set up a national online resource to help locate them, alongside other measures.
The Prime Minister's apology is a significant step towards acknowledging the state's role in this dark chapter of history, and provides a sense of closure for those who were affected.
