The UK government is poised to issue a formal, unqualified apology to survivors of historic forced adoptions, marking a significant step toward acknowledging decades of systemic injustice. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson confirmed on 17 June 2026 that the state will deliver a full apology on behalf of the government to all those affected by practices that saw an estimated 185,000 babies removed from unmarried mothers in England and Wales between 1949 and 1976.
This development follows mounting pressure from parliamentary inquiries, survivor campaigns, and cross-party recommendations. Many victims, now in their seventies and eighties, have waited years for official recognition of the trauma inflicted by a culture of shame and coercion surrounding unmarried pregnancies.
Historical Context of Forced Adoptions in the United Kingdom
Forced adoptions emerged in the post-war era amid strict social norms that stigmatised births outside marriage. Unmarried mothers faced intense pressure from families, religious institutions, social workers, and local authorities to relinquish their children. Mother and baby homes, often run by churches or charities, served as the primary settings where women gave birth before being separated from their newborns.
The practice was not the result of a single law but a combination of societal attitudes, inadequate welfare support, and institutional practices that prioritised adoption over family preservation. Women were frequently told they were unfit mothers or that keeping their child would ruin their lives and those of their families. Many signed consent forms under duress, without full understanding of their rights or access to independent advice.
Scale and Statistics of the Scandal
Official estimates place the number of affected adoptions in England and Wales at approximately 185,000 during the peak period. This figure derives from re-registration of births data and reflects babies placed with new adoptive parents following pressure on unmarried mothers. Broader adoption totals in the era reached around 500,000, but the subset involving coerced relinquishment by single women forms the core of the forced adoption narrative.
Survivors include birth mothers, now elderly, and adult adoptees who grew up without knowledge of their origins or with disrupted family bonds. The impacts span generations, with many adoptees reporting identity struggles and mothers describing lifelong grief.
How the System Operated: Processes and Coercion
The pathway typically began with discovery of pregnancy, leading to referral to a mother and baby home. There, residents often performed domestic labour while awaiting birth. Post-delivery, babies were swiftly removed, sometimes within days, and mothers discouraged from bonding or breastfeeding. Consent was obtained through persuasion, threats of social ostracism, or misleading information about future contact.
Religious organisations played a prominent role, with the Church of England and Catholic institutions running many facilities. Local authority social services facilitated placements, reflecting prevailing policy that favoured adoption for children born out of wedlock. No formal state directive mandated force, yet government inaction and the broader welfare framework enabled the practices.
Survivor Experiences and Personal Testimonies
Survivors have shared harrowing accounts of separation, secrecy, and enduring psychological harm. Birth mothers describe being told their babies had died or were better off without them. Adoptees recount discovering their status later in life, often triggering profound identity crises.
Parliamentary evidence sessions have highlighted these stories as among the most moving heard by MPs. Campaign groups such as the Movement for an Adoption Apology emphasise that any official statement must be co-produced with those directly affected to hold genuine meaning.
Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash
Impacts on Individuals, Families and Society
The consequences extend far beyond the initial separation. Many birth mothers experienced chronic mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and complex PTSD. Adoptees frequently report attachment difficulties, trust issues, and challenges forming relationships. Families lost connections across generations, with some never reuniting despite later searches.
Society as a whole bears responsibility for perpetuating stigma that marginalised single mothers. The absence of adequate support services at the time compounded the harm, leaving survivors to navigate trauma largely alone until recent decades.
Previous Apologies and International Comparisons
Scotland issued a formal apology in March 2023, followed by Wales in April 2023. These statements acknowledged state and societal roles in enabling the practices. The Catholic Church in England and Wales apologised in 2016, while the Church of England has prepared its own statement recognising institutional involvement.
Internationally, Australia and Ireland have gone further by combining apologies with financial redress schemes and dedicated support programmes. These models offer potential templates for comprehensive responses in the UK.
Parliamentary Scrutiny and Key Recommendations
The Education Select Committee published a landmark report on 27 March 2026 calling for an urgent, unqualified apology. The cross-party group urged ministers to co-author the statement with survivors and commit to a clear timetable. Additional recommendations include improved access to adoption records, a national intermediary service for contact and reunion, and trauma-informed healthcare pathways recognising elevated risks of complex PTSD and suicide among survivors.
The Joint Committee on Human Rights had previously highlighted the issue in 2022, recommending formal recognition of the injustice.
Government Position and Path to Apology
Earlier responses from previous administrations expressed regret on behalf of society but stopped short of a formal state apology, citing that the state did not actively direct the practices. The current Labour government has shifted tone, with Children’s Minister Josh MacAlister acknowledging the state’s role and Education Secretary Phillipson confirming imminent action.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to elaborate further, reflecting the gravity of the historical injustice. Campaigners stress that the apology must be accompanied by concrete measures on records, support services, and ongoing consultation.
Calls for Comprehensive Redress Beyond Words
Survivors and advocates argue an apology alone is insufficient. They seek practical steps including digitisation and centralised access to historic records, funded counselling, and legal duties on institutions to preserve documents. Regular government engagement with lived-experience groups is also prioritised.
These measures aim to provide closure and practical assistance as many survivors approach the end of their lives.
Learn more from the Movement for an Adoption Apology.
Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash
Future Outlook and Ongoing Campaigning
The forthcoming apology represents progress after years of advocacy. However, implementation details, including timing, wording, and accompanying support packages, remain critical. Continued scrutiny from Parliament, media, and survivor networks will shape the final form of reconciliation.
As the government prepares its statement, attention turns to ensuring it delivers meaningful recognition and paves the way for healing across affected communities.
