UK Government to Apologize for 185,000 Forced Adoptions in England
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jun 17
UK Government to Apologize for 185,000 Forced Adoptions in England
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 17
Summary
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the government will make a full state apology “very soon” to people affected by historical forced adoptions in England.
An estimated 185,000 babies were taken from mothers in the three decades after World War Two, with many unmarried women pressured or coerced into surrendering their children.
A March report from parliament’s Joint Committee on Human Rights urged an urgent apology, saying government decisions helped create the conditions for the practice and calling for better record access and trauma-informed support.
The move marks a shift from 2023, when the Conservative government said it was “sorry” but refused an official apology; Scotland and Wales both issued formal apologies that year.
The UK admits fault for forced adoptions, but a court ruling makes them legally irreversible. What now?
After a state apology for forced adoptions, will victims receive financial redress for lifelong trauma?
Forced Adoptions in England (1949–1976): Government Apology, Survivor Testimonies, and the Fight for Justice
Overview
On June 17, 2026, the UK government announced it will issue a formal apology for the historical forced adoptions that took place in England, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer set to deliver the statement. This decision follows years of determined campaigning and parliamentary pressure from survivors and their supporters, whose powerful testimonies brought national attention to the issue. The government’s apology acknowledges the lasting harm caused by these practices and is accompanied by commitments to improve access to records and support services for those affected, marking a significant step toward recognition and justice for survivors.