Between 1949 and 1976, an estimated 185,000 babies born to unmarried mothers in England and Wales were forcibly taken and placed for adoption under a system supported by local authorities and religious organisations [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9]. The system relied on shaming, coercion, and institutional pressure often sending pregnant women to mother and baby homes run primarily by Christian churches, where many were separated from their children against their will [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9].
On July 2, 2026, Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivered a formal apology in the House of Commons on behalf of the British state, calling the practices "a stain on our history" and acknowledging the harm caused [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9]. Starmer said, "The shame is not yours. The shame was never yours. The shame is ours. I say it to every single person impacted: we are deeply and profoundly sorry" [3]. He also stated, "The state did not do enough to protect mothers, children and families from harm, and for this systemic failure I am truly sorry" [4]. Before the parliamentary apology, Starmer met with affected mothers and adoptees at Downing Street [1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9].
The government accepted ultimate responsibility for the systemic failure to protect mothers and children [1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9] and announced a £4 million package to help affected people access adoption records, support family reconnection, document long-term impacts, and improve mental health support [2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9]. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said, "The pain carried by mothers, adopted children and their families who suffered this appalling injustice is unimaginable. Today, on behalf of the British state, we say with one voice: this was wrong, and we are sorry" [2].
The Church of England had publicly apologized in June 2026 for its role in running the mother and baby homes [1, 3, 4, 5, 9]. Similar apologies have been issued previously by the Welsh and Scottish governments, as well as by Ireland and Australia for their forced adoption histories [1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8]. Northern Ireland is currently conducting a statutory public inquiry related to mother and baby institutions, with an apology expected after its conclusion [1, 2, 4, 8].
The government also acknowledged that some coercive adoption practices may have continued beyond 1976 and said those experiences are deeply upsetting to hear [2, 8]. Campaigner and former Labour MP Ann Keen said, "We all need this apology because we have always been accused of giving up our babies, and we didn't give them up" [6].
This formal apology follows recommendations from the UK Parliament's Joint Committee on Human Rights in 2022 and the House of Commons Education Committee earlier in 2026 calling for a state apology and support measures [1, 2, 5, 6].
