Today the Prime Minister has delivered an apology on behalf of the state for historical forced adoption practices in England. These practices, which predominantly occurred between 1949 and 1976, involved mostly young, unmarried women being coerced into having their babies taken from them.
The apology follows extensive engagement with campaign groups and individuals with lived experience.
Commitments to action and support
We know that, for many people, the consequences of these experiences have not diminished with time. An apology, while important, cannot undo the profound and lasting harm that was caused. Those affected have made it clear—powerfully and consistently—that healing and recognition require meaningful, practical support.
Today marks not an end point, but the beginning of a continuing commitment to address this legacy. The Government are determined to learn from this historic injustice and to improve access to support for those affected and their families. This includes improving access to records, strengthening specialist intermediary services, expanding trauma-informed support, and ensuring clearer routes to information and assistance.
We will continue to work closely with people with lived experience, experts and delivery partners to ensure that this acknowledgement is matched by meaningful and lasting change.
Today, the Government commit to a programme of measures worth £4 million over three years to support those affected. Initial steps will include:
Transforming access to and safeguarding of adoption records
Extending record retention
We will consult on strengthening access to historical adoption information by extending the retention period for existing pre-2005 adoption case records to at least 100 years, bringing them into line with post-2005 requirements and helping to ensure records remain available throughout the lifetime of those affected.
Making access to records simpler and more transparent
We will fund the further development of a national platform, led by CoramBAAF in partnership with the Archives and Records Association, providing a single access point to a comprehensive dataset of adoption and care records held by agencies, organisations and record offices.
Driving consistency and accountability
This will be reinforced through ministerial communications to local authorities, regional adoption agencies and voluntary adoption agencies, emphasising the importance of responding appropriately to information requests, and in line with the Government-funded and endorsed 2025 Adoption England practice guidance. This includes improving transparency around response times and reducing unnecessary redaction.