Warning: this report contains offensive and outdated language referencing racist abuse suffered.
The prime minister has delivered a state apology in parliament on behalf of successive governments for the "appalling historical injustice" of forced adoptions.
It’s a victory for survivors who’ve long campaigned for justice and recognition, and it follows a long-running ITV News investigation which highlighted the scandal – and the many babies who were buried in unmarked graves.
Between 1940 and 1980, an estimated 250,000 women in England had their babies forcibly adopted because they were unmarried. Other infants died through poor care and neglect at homes for unmarried mothers.
Speaking in the House of Commons on Thursday, Sir Keir Starmer said: "The shame was never yours. The shame is ours. And I say that on behalf of the whole country.
"I say it to every single person impacted. We are deeply and profoundly sorry."
The apology, which survivors have been campaigning for for more than a decade, is backed by a £4 million package of support over three years.
• Subscribe to ITV News on YouTube: http://bit.ly/2lOHmNj
• Get breaking news and more stories at http://www.itv.com/news
Follow ITV News on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@itvnews?lang=en
Follow ITV News on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itvnews/
Follow ITV News on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itvnews/
Follow ITV News on X: https://twitter.com/itvnews
