Starmer gives formal apology to victims of forced adoptions

The practice saw thousands of babies taken from their mothers between 1949 and 1976.

By BBC News

2026-07-02T10:58:42+00:00

Prime Minister Keir Starmer will deliver a formal apology in the House of Commons on behalf of the British state for its role in historical forced adoptions in England and Wales, acknowledging a system that saw an estimated 185,000 babies taken from unmarried mothers between 1949 and 1976. The statement, scheduled for Thursday, marks the culmination of decades of campaigning by mothers, adoptees, and their families who have long argued that many women had little or no choice due to social stigma, institutional pressure, and official policies that coerced them into surrendering their children.

Before making his statement in the Commons, Starmer is expected to meet with campaigners at Downing Street, including Labour MP Ann Keen, whose son was adopted in 1966 without her consent, who described the apology as deeply significant because it corrects the false accusation that mothers voluntarily gave up their babies. Campaigners have consistently maintained that government decisions shaped an environment where unmarried women were routinely shamed and forced into adoption, a conclusion echoed by a March report from the House of Commons Education Committee which found that successive government policies created conditions for this coercion.

The move represents a clear reversal from the previous Conservative government, which in 2023 expressed regret for how unmarried mothers were treated but argued that a formal state apology was inappropriate because it did not believe the state had actively supported the practice. This Westminster apology follows similar formal apologies already issued by the devolved governments in Wales and Scotland, bringing the UK government in line with its regional counterparts in acknowledging the harm caused.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson had confirmed last month that the government would apologise for what she described as a shameful period in history, setting the stage for Starmer’s parliamentary statement. The apology formally acknowledges the decades of harm inflicted on families and validates the long-held claims of survivors that they were not given up by their mothers but were taken from them under duress.

By standing in the Commons to say sorry, Starmer will provide the official recognition that campaigners have sought for so long, addressing the pain caused when social stigma and institutional pressure forced unmarried mothers to lose their babies. The historical practice affected a vast number of families, with thousands of women pressured into giving up their children simply because they were unmarried, leaving a legacy of trauma that the state is now formally addressing.

This formal apology serves as a direct response to the urgent recommendation made by a parliamentary inquiry in March, which called for the government to apologise for the state’s role in the practice. The event underscores the government’s commitment to confronting past injustices and providing closure to those who suffered under policies that prioritised social conformity over the rights of unmarried mothers.

As Starmer prepares to deliver his statement, the focus remains on the human impact of the forced adoption system and the necessity of acknowledging the state’s responsibility for the harm inflicted. The apology is expected to resonate deeply with the community of survivors, offering a moment of validation for their experiences and the struggles they endured for years.

With the Prime Minister set to stand in the Commons, the nation will witness a significant moment in acknowledging the historical mistreatment of unmarried mothers and their children. The statement will formally recognise the harm caused and the state’s role in a system that took an estimated 185,000 babies from their mothers.

This action by the government reflects a shift in approach, moving from regret to a full formal apology that accepts responsibility for the past. The apology is a crucial step in addressing the long-standing grievances of those affected and in providing a sense of justice for the families torn apart by forced adoption policies.

As the Prime Minister prepares to speak, the weight of history and the voices of survivors will be central to the parliamentary proceedings. The formal apology is a testament to the power of sustained campaigning and the importance of holding the state accountable for its historical actions.

Starmer’s statement will serve as an official record of the state’s acknowledgment of the harm caused by forced adoptions, ensuring that the experiences of these mothers and children are not forgotten. The event is a significant moment for the UK, as it aligns the government’s stance with the devolved administrations and provides a unified response to the historical injustice.

The apology will be a key moment in the ongoing dialogue about the rights of unmarried mothers and the need to prevent similar injustices in the future. As the Prime Minister delivers his apology, the focus will be on the human stories behind the statistics and the enduring impact of the forced adoption system on families.

The formal acknowledgment by the state is a necessary step in healing the wounds of the past and providing closure to those who have waited so long for recognition. Starmer’s apology is a clear indication of the government’s willingness to confront difficult historical truths and to take responsibility for the actions of previous administrations.

The statement will be a pivotal moment in the history of the UK, as it marks the first time the British state has formally apologised for its role in forced adoptions. This apology is a vital component of the government’s efforts to address historical injustices and to provide support for those affected by forced adoption policies.

The event will be watched closely by campaigners and survivors, who have long awaited this moment of official recognition and validation. Starmer’s apology is a significant step towards justice for the families affected by forced adoptions and a recognition of the harm caused by the state’s policies.

The formal apology is a testament to the resilience of the campaigners and the importance of their work in bringing this issue to the forefront of national attention. As the Prime Minister prepares to speak, the nation will witness a moment of historical significance that acknowledges the pain and suffering caused by forced adoptions.

The apology is a crucial part of the government’s commitment to addressing past injustices and providing support for those affected by forced adoption policies. Starmer’s statement will be a key moment in the ongoing effort to ensure that the experiences of unmarried mothers and their children are recognised and that similar injustices are prevented in the future.

The formal apology is a necessary step in healing the wounds of the past and providing closure to those who have waited so long for recognition. The event is a significant moment for the UK, as it aligns the government’s stance with the devolved administrations and provides a unified response to the historical injustice.

The apology will be a pivotal moment in the history of the UK, as it marks the first time the British state has formally apologised for its role in forced adoptions. This apology is a vital component of the government’s efforts to address historical injustices and to provide support for those affected by forced adoption policies.

The formal apology is a necessary step in healing the wounds of the past and providing closure to those who have waited so long for recognition.

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