SIR KEIR STARMER has formally apologised for the part played by the State in forced adoptions, saying on behalf of the Government and the nations involved: “We are truly sorry.”

The Prime Minister’s apology was aimed at the 185,000 mothers and children in England and Wales who were affected by forced adoptions between 1949 and 1976.

It followed the Archbishop of Canterbury’s apology on behalf of the Church of England, for the “pain, trauma, and stigma” experienced by women who gave birth in church-run mother-and-baby homes, issued on Thursday of last week. Some of these were directly run by dioceses, while others were run by independent or semi-independent committees, with different levels of church oversight (News, 19 June). A number of other bishops have also issued their own apologies (News, 26 June).

Speaking in the House of Commons on Thursday, as affected mothers and adult adoptees observed from the public gallery, Sir Keir said: “The shame was never yours. The shame is ours. You should not have had to fight so hard for this day to come.

“Today, finally, I do say on behalf of the State and the nations involved: we see you, we hear you and we are truly sorry.”

Sir Keir said that the harm of forced adoptions had been “compounded by the actions and failures” of the State.

“The State did not prevent harm from continuing,” he said. “The State bears responsibility for the systems it funded and legitimised, which enabled these practices to occur. The State did not do enough to protect mothers, children, and families from harm. For this systemic failure, I am truly sorry.”

After the Prime Minister’s comments, the Bishop of St Edmundsbury & Ipswich, Dr Joanne Grenfell, who chaired the Church of England’s working group on historical adoption practices, said: “We welcome the Government’s apology and its commitment to provide support for those affected by historic adoption practices.

“We reiterate our own profound apology for the hurt and trauma caused, and our deep remorse for the lasting impact on mothers, children, and families.

“We recognise the courage of those who have shared their experiences and we have sought to keep the Government informed of our work to listen, learn, and respond.

“We remain committed to that ongoing process and hope that today will lead to greater understanding, access to records, and meaningful support for all those affected.”