Survivors of forced adoption scandal to finally receive government apology over 'shameful period' in country's history

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MPs in Westminster have long been pressured to say sorry after an estimated 185,000 children were taken from unmarried mothers and adopted between 1949 and 1976 in England and Wales.

Pregnant women and girls were sent away to homes run by the church and state, and had their babies put up for adoption, often because their parents were so embarrassed by their pregnancy.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson confirmed on Wednesday that the victims would get a "full apology on behalf of the state".

Ms Phillipson described the historical practice as a "shameful period" in the country’s history.

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She told the Education Committee: "I know that you and the committee will want to hear that this government will very soon be making a full apology on behalf of the state to all of those affected by historic forced adoption in England.

"The Prime Minister will have more to say on this shameful period in our history, reflecting the gravity of what has happened.

"But here and now, let me say to all of those affected, you will get the apology that you so profoundly deserve."

The committee have long called for an apology to be made by the government to survivors as a step towards giving them "peace".

A report by the UK Government’s Joint Committee on Human Rights (JCHR) in 2022 recommended ministers apologise to unmarried women who were "railroaded" into unwanted adoptions.

Responding to the report in 2023, the then-Conservative government said while it was sorry "on behalf of society" for the way the women had been treated, it did not think a formal apology appropriate "since the state did not actively support these practices".

However, Education Minister Josh MacAlister said he accepted "the state had a role" earlier this year.

Mr MacAlister said the practice "went on for decades, forcibly removing children from these women in homes that were sometimes run by the state".

He added it had "enabled and overseen by social workers employed by the state, and social attitudes that were reinforced by practices that carried on for many years".

A report by the committee published in March said an apology should cover a wider period "as we have received clear evidence that the practices associated with forced adoptions happened before 1949 and continued after the introduction of the Adoption Act 1976".

That report also called for improved access to records for adoptees and mothers, and access to trauma‑informed support for those navigating contact and reunion with their families.

They said: "This learning should inform a UK approach that avoids symbolic or incomplete action and instead delivers a comprehensive, fully-resourced, survivor-led response."

MPs noted that the Irish Government had, in 2022, legislated to offer financial redress to eligible survivors of mother and baby institutions, while in Northern Ireland a redress payment scheme for survivors had been recommended a year earlier.

Caroline Voaden, member of the Education Select Committee, who was in the room for Bridget Phillipson’s announcement, said: “When the victims of forced adoption appeared before the Education Select Committee in March, they spoke of what an apology would mean for them.

"Some said it would enable them to stop blaming themselves for what happened. For others, it would prove they did not willingly give their children away.

"It was heartbreaking to hear, and I am relieved the government is finally doing the right thing and apologising for this awful scandal.

"I hope that today is the start of a lengthy process where we engage with this dark chapter of our history and provide the victims with the recognition and support they have long deserved."