Starmer apologises for state’s role in historic forced adoptions in England and Wales

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Keir Starmer has apologised for the British state’s role in historic forced adoptions in England and Wales, calling them “a stain on our history”. An estimated 185,000 babies born outside of marriage were taken from their mothers between 1949 and 1976. Starmer said this was the result of “embedded” institutional practices. He also referenced the experience of one mother, Anne Keen, who later became an MP and was told at the time to “remember the pain, because you’ve been a bad girl”. Campaigners have spent years demanding an apology. There will be no compensation, but a scheme has been announced to improve access to adoption records and fund family reunion services. The Church of England has also apologised for its role.