Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will issue a formal public apology on historic forced adoptions on behalf of the Government.

I have the deepest sympathy with everyone affected by historic forced adoption. The practice was abhorrent and should never have taken place.

The department is currently funding the Adoption England project ‘Improving Adoption Services for Adults’, which is designed to maintain relationships and facilitate access to better support for adopted adults, including those adopted between 1940 to 1970.

The department will continue to review the offer, including looking to learn from the approach of the devolved nations, and will consider how we can collaborate across government to provide support.