Committee publication · Special Report · 9 July 2026 · HC 538
2nd Special Report - Historical Forced Adoption: Government Response
From: Education Committee
Inquiry: Historical Forced Adoption
Summary
The Government's formal response to the Education Committee's March 2026 inquiry into historic forced adoption practices. The Government accepts or partially accepts most recommendations, including delivering a formal apology (completed July 2026), recognising state involvement, preserving adoption records for 100 years, improving access to records via a national platform, expanding intermediary services, and strengthening mental health support through NHS pathways. Implementation will be survivor-led with ongoing engagement.
Key findings
- Government delivered formal Prime Minister apology on 2 July 2026, acknowledging state's central role in enabling forced adoption practices and recognising harm to mothers, adoptees, fathers, and wider families.
- Accepts requirement for 100-year statutory retention of historical adoption records, with regulatory changes to strengthen long-term preservation and accessibility.
- Partially accepts single national access point recommendation; instead committing to national platform by CoramBAAF and Archives and Records Association to help locate records and understand request processes.
- Partially accepts dedicated mental health pathway; will co-produce trauma-informed materials and improve clinician awareness through existing NHS pathways rather than establishing separate national service.
- Will commission testimonials project to capture survivor experiences and establish reference group of individuals with lived experience to review progress against implementation measures.
Government position
Accepts or partially accepts all major recommendations. Accepts apology delivery, state responsibility acknowledgement, survivor engagement, international learning, records preservation, and improved local authority guidance. Partially accepts on unified national access point (proposing platform instead), dedicated mental health pathway (working within existing NHS structures), and large-scale research (phased, targeted approach prioritising real-world data). Government frames approach as proportionate, sustainable, and survivor-led with ongoing accountability mechanisms.
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Prime Minister, Education Committee, CoramBAAF, Archives and Records Association, NHS England, Department for Health and Social Care, Department for Education, Regional Adoption Agencies, Voluntary Adoption Agencies
Notable line
“… the state did not do enough to prevent these practices. The Government is committed to ensuring that this acknowledgement is reflected in both the public record and in how support is delivered …”
Key Quotes
“We recognise the seriousness of the issues raised and the profound and lasting impact that historic forced adoption practices have had on those affected, including mothers, adopted people, and their wider families.”
“The Government's apology recognised the role of the state in enabling the systems and practices in which harm occurred including through funding and oversight, and acknowledged that the state did not do enough to prevent these practices.”
“Subject to Parliamentary approval, we will introduce regulatory changes requiring most existing historical adoption records to be retained for a minimum of 100 years.”
“The updated 2025 practice guidance promotes a trauma-informed, open and flexible approach, and we will continue to support organisations in embedding this approach in how they respond to those seeking information.”
“We are committed to ensuring that this is accompanied by meaningful and practical action.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗