Committee publication · Correspondence · 14 July 2026
Letter from Chair to Secretary of State on the Historical Forced Adoption Apology dated 14.07.26
From: Education Committee
Inquiry: Historical Forced Adoption
Summary
Chair Helen Hayes thanks the Government for its apology on historical forced adoption and the accompanying £4 million support package, but seeks detailed clarification on funding allocation, timescales, and demand assessments. The Committee commits to ongoing scrutiny of implementation and urges continued engagement with survivors and institutions including the Church of England, Barnardo's, and The Salvation Army.
Key findings
- Government has issued formal Prime Minister apology for state role in historical forced adoption practices—a key Committee recommendation
- £4 million support package announced covering intermediary services, peer-led support groups, trauma-informed support, and testimonials project
- Committee welcomes survivor engagement in development of apology and support measures but notes survivors emphasise need for long-term practical support
- Government response lacks detail on funding breakdown between strands, timescales for distribution, and assessment of demand and sufficiency
- Committee will conduct ongoing scrutiny of implementation and calls for continued institutional engagement from Church of England, Barnardo's, and The Salvation Army
Tone
ProceduralTopics
adoption-policyhistorical-injusticesurvivor-supportgovernment-accountabilitypublic-finance
Key actors
Helen Hayes MP, Bridget Phillipson MP, Prime Minister, Church of England, Barnardo's, The Salvation Army, Education Committee, NHS
Notable line
“Survivors consistently told the Committee that acknowledgement of the past must be accompanied by meaningful practical support and delivered over the long term.”
Key Quotes
“My Committee welcomes the Government's apology for the state's role in the historical forced adoption practices that caused such profound and lasting harm to mothers, adopted people and their wider families.”
“Throughout our inquiry, survivors emphasised the importance of being listened to and of having a meaningful role in shaping the response to historical forced adoption.”
“Survivors consistently told the Committee that acknowledgement of the past must be accompanied by meaningful practical support and delivered over the long term.”
“The Government has referred to a £4 million support package to improve access to adoption records, fund intermediary services, improve access to mental health support and support research and testimonial projects.”
“However, the information published to date provides limited detail about how this funding will be allocated, over what period it will be available, what proportion is intended for each strand of work, and how the Government has assessed whether the available funding will be sufficient to meet demand.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗