Adam Jogee, MP for Newcastle-under-Lyme, called on the Westminster Government to issue a formal apology to the unmarried mothers who were forced to give up around 185,000 children between 1949 and 1976. These adoptions, often managed by church-run agencies, occurred during a time when unmarried mothers faced severe social stigma. Jogee highlighted personal stories, such as that of Karen Constantine, who resisted pressure to relinquish her child, and urged the government to preserve adoption records to help mothers seek justice and reconnect with their children. While the Welsh and Scottish Governments have already issued apologies, the UK Government has yet to do so despite recommendations from the Joint Committee on Human Rights.

In response, Commons leader Sir Alan Campbell condemned the forced adoption practices as “abhorrent” and expressed deep sympathy for those affected. He emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting impacted individuals and improving access to adoption records, including a directive for agencies to preserve records for at least 100 years. Campbell assured that concerns would be raised with the Education Secretary, signaling a willingness to address the issue more comprehensively, though stopping short of a formal apology from the Westminster Government at this time.