00:01UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer apologized for the state's role in decades of forced adoption of
00:07babies of tens of thousands of unwed mothers. Between 1949 and 1976, roughly 185,000 babies
00:16born to unwed mothers were adopted by married couples in England and Wales. Campaigners testified
00:22that they were pressured, misled, coerced, or bullied into giving up their babies.
00:27Unmarried mothers were also shamed and forced to hide away in institutions while pregnant.
00:33Starmer met some of the campaigners on Thursday, some of whom were present in the public gallery
00:37of the House of Commons, where the UK leader delivered the apology.
00:42These harms were compounded by the actions and failures of the state. Governments funded,
00:50enabled, and relied on systems that were not consistently or effectively overseen.
00:54The state did not prevent harm from continuing. The state bears responsibility for the systems
01:02it funded and legitimized, which enabled these practices to occur. The state did not do enough
01:09to protect mothers, children, and families from harm. And for this systemic failure, I am truly sorry.
01:19Campaigners have fought for years to receive an apology, what many describe as a necessary step
01:24to being released from the shame they received for giving up their babies. In addition to the apology,
01:30Starmer also announced support for affected mothers and children, including better access to adoption
01:35records and mental health support.
01:37This big number half.
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