“The Shame Was Never Yours” — UK Government Apologises For Historic Forced Adoptions, Announces £4m Support Package

The United Kingdom Government has formally apologised to thousands of people affected by historic forced adoption practices and announced a £4 million support package to help survivors access records, reconnect with family members and receive appropriate support.

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

The apology was watched from the House of Commons gallery by campaigners, many of whom had spent years demanding official recognition of the pain caused by the forced separation of mothers and children.

In his address, Starmer said many women were denied genuine choice, made to feel ashamed or unworthy, while children were taken from their birth families, identities and histories.

Speaking directly to those affected, the Prime Minister said: “The shame is not yours. The shame was never yours. The shame is ours.”

He added that, on behalf of the country, the government was “deeply and profoundly sorry.”

The government acknowledged that fathers and extended family members were also affected, with the consequences lasting across lifetimes and, in some cases, generations.

According to the official statement, successive governments funded, enabled and relied on systems that were not consistently or effectively overseen.

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

It said the state did not do enough to protect mothers, children and families and failed to prevent harm from continuing.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson described the historical practices as an appalling injustice that deprived families of irreplaceable relationships, shared experiences and moments that should have belonged to them.

She said the apology could not undo the past but could mark the beginning of real change through practical action, care and support for those affected.

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

The government said the funding will help affected persons access adoption records through the Coram BAAF charity and support intermediary services such as Family Connect, which assists people seeking to reconnect with relatives.

Part of the fund will also support research and testimonial projects aimed at documenting the long-term effects of forced adoption and preserving the experiences of survivors.

The government announced additional measures, including improving access to adoption records, expanding family reconnection services, developing peer support programmes and working with NHS England to improve access to appropriate physical and mental health support.

It also said it would strengthen awareness across public services, establish a lived experience reference group to monitor progress and commission a testimonials project to capture the stories of those affected.

According to the government, the package reflects the priorities identified by survivors, including the need to understand their personal histories, access records, reconnect with relatives where possible and receive support tailored to their experiences.

The apology applies to historical adoption practices in England.

The UK Government noted that Scotland and Wales had already issued separate formal apologies, while Northern Ireland is working to establish a statutory public inquiry into Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses.

The government also acknowledged that some people’s experiences extended beyond the 1949 to 1976 period and that it remained distressing to hear accounts of coercive practices continuing after that time.

It, however, stated that the modern adoption system now operates under stronger legal safeguards, clear consent requirements and independent judicial oversight.

Officials encouraged anyone affected by historic forced adoption practices to seek support through specialist organisations, counselling services, healthcare providers and other available support channels.

The formal apology marks a major moment for campaigners who have long argued that forced adoption was not merely a private tragedy but a state-enabled injustice that caused lasting emotional, psychological and identity-related harm.

With the apology and support package, the UK Government said it would continue to monitor the effectiveness of the measures and consider further research as the programme progresses.

The post “The Shame Was Never Yours” — UK Government Apologises For Historic Forced Adoptions, Announces £4m Support Package appeared first on TheNigeriaLawyer.