The UK government will soon issue a full state apology to those affected by historic forced adoptions in England, confirmed Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson. The apology acknowledges a "shameful period" where an estimated 185,000 babies were taken from unmarried mothers between 1949 and 1976.
This apology represents a significant step towards acknowledging past state-sanctioned harm and offering redress to survivors of forced adoption, potentially paving the way for further reconciliation and support measures.
The UK government is set to issue a full apology on behalf of the state to individuals affected by historic forced adoption practices in England. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson confirmed the forthcoming apology, describing the period as "shameful." The prime minister is expected to make further statements on the matter.
This announcement follows a report by the education select committee, which emphasized the necessity of a formal and public apology to correct the historical record and alleviate the suffering of many mothers and adoptees. The committee urged ministers to commit to an apology and collaborate with survivor groups.
Between 1949 and 1976, an estimated 185,000 babies were separated from their unmarried mothers and placed for adoption in England and Wales. This practice was driven by societal shame surrounding out-of-wedlock pregnancies, with religious organizations often running the mother and baby homes involved.
Similar apologies have been made by the Welsh and Scottish governments in 2023, and the head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales in 2016. Ireland and Australia have also implemented financial compensation schemes following apologies for similar coerced child removals. Helen Hayes, chair of the education select committee, highlighted the profound trauma inflicted across generations by these practices.
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