Starmer to Apologize for 185,000 Forced Adoptions in England and Wales
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 2
Starmer to Apologize for 185,000 Forced Adoptions in England and Wales
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 2
Summary
Sir Keir Starmer will issue a formal apology on Thursday for the British state's role in historical forced adoptions, after campaigners are received at Downing Street and before he addresses Parliament.
An estimated 185,000 babies were taken from unmarried mothers in England and Wales in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, with women often shamed or coerced into surrendering their children.
A March inquiry by Parliament's Joint Committee on Human Rights said state decisions helped create that environment and urged an urgent apology, better access to adoption records and more support for reunions.
The committee did not recommend compensation, but asked the government to assess responses in Australia, Northern Ireland and Ireland as pressure grows for wider redress.
The apology follows years of campaigning and comes after Wales and Scotland apologized in 2023, while the Church of England said sorry in June and Northern Ireland is expected to act after its public inquiry.
Britain apologizes for forced adoptions but rejects compensation. Why won't it follow the redress path taken by Australia and Ireland?
Ireland's inquiry found 9,000 children died in its baby homes. Will the UK's apology now trigger a similarly harrowing investigation?
Forced Adoptions in the UK: The Push for Government Apology, Redress, and Public Recognition
Overview
Historic forced adoptions of children born to unmarried mothers led to widespread trauma and calls for justice across the UK. While Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have already issued state apologies, a formal apology from the UK government for England is still under discussion. These regional actions reflect a growing recognition of the need to address past injustices and the systemic pressures that caused family separations. Survivors and advocates stress that an apology must be just the beginning, urging for real support, access to records, and public education to ensure meaningful accountability and lasting change.