UK apologises to victims of forced adoption, to pay £4m package 

The United Kingdom (UK) government has formally apologised to thousands of people affected by historical forced adoption practices and announced a £4 million support package aimed at helping survivors access records, reconnect with families and receive mental health support.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivered the apology in Parliament on behalf of the British state, acknowledging the suffering endured by an estimated 185,000 mothers, adopted people and their families as a result of adoption practices that occurred primarily between 1949 and 1976.

According to a statement on the UK government website, campaigners watched the apology from the House of Commons gallery before attending a reception in Westminster.

In his address, Starmer said the state had failed those affected by denying many women genuine choice and separating children from their birth families.

Speaking directly to campaigners, the prime minister said, “The shame is not yours. The shame was never yours. The shame is ours.”

“And I say that on behalf of the whole country, I say it to every single person impacted, we are deeply and profoundly sorry.”

The government acknowledged that many mothers were made to feel ashamed or unworthy, while children were deprived of their identities, family histories and relationships. It also recognised that fathers and extended family members suffered harm, with the consequences lasting for generations.

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Alongside the apology, ministers announced a £4 million support fund to be spent over the next three years.

According to the government, the funding will help people obtain adoption records through the Coram BAAF charity, support intermediary services such as Family Connect that assist family reunification, and finance research and testimonial projects documenting the long-term effects of forced adoption.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson described the historical practices as “an appalling injustice” that robbed families of irreplaceable moments and relationships.

“The pain carried by mothers, adopted children and their families who suffered this appalling injustice is unimaginable. They were cruelly denied irreplaceable moments, shared experiences and relationships which should have been theirs, and were made to feel ashamed,” she said.

“Today, on behalf of the British state, we say with one voice: this was wrong, and we are sorry. An apology cannot undo what happened, but it can be the start of real change, alongside providing the practical action, care and support that people need.”

The government admitted that successive administrations funded, enabled and relied on systems that were not consistently or effectively overseen.

It also acknowledged that in some cases adoption records were lost, altered or withheld from people seeking answers about their origins.

“The state did not do enough to protect mothers, children and families and it failed to prevent harm from continuing. It bears responsibility for the systems it funded and legitimised, which enabled these practices to take place,” the statement said.

Beyond the financial package, the government announced additional measures, including improving access to adoption records, expanding family reconnection services, working with NHS England to improve access to physical and mental health support, developing peer support programmes, increasing awareness across public services, establishing a lived experience reference group to monitor progress, and commissioning a testimonials project to preserve the experiences of those affected.

The government said it would also monitor the effectiveness of the support package and consider the need for further research as the programme progresses.

According to the statement, the measures reflect what survivors have identified as their greatest needs, including understanding their personal histories, accessing records, reconnecting with relatives where possible and receiving support tailored to their experiences.

The apology applies to historical adoption practices in England. The government noted that Scotland and Wales have already issued separate formal apologies, while Northern Ireland is establishing a statutory public inquiry into Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses.

The government also acknowledged that some coercive adoption practices continued beyond the 1949–1976 period but stressed that the modern adoption system now operates under stronger legal safeguards, clear consent requirements, and independent judicial oversight.

Officials encouraged anyone affected by historical forced adoption to seek support through specialist organisations, including Family Connect, counselling services, healthcare providers and the Samaritans.