British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has issued a formal apology on behalf of the UK government to thousands of women and families affected by the country’s historic forced adoption practices. Addressing Parliament, Starmer acknowledged the deep pain caused by policies that led to unmarried mothers being pressured or coerced into giving up their babies for adoption over several decades.
Describing the practice as a “profound injustice,” Starmer said many women were denied the right to make free and informed decisions about their children, leaving lasting emotional and psychological scars. He recognised the suffering endured by mothers, adopted children, and families, and expressed regret for the role played by state institutions and other organisations in facilitating the adoptions.
The apology follows years of campaigning by survivors and recommendations from independent reviews calling for official recognition of the harm caused. The UK government said it would continue to work with affected individuals and organisations to improve access to records, support services, and counselling while ensuring that lessons from the past are not forgotten.
