16
Accepted
The Government must take urgent action to ensure that all existing adoption records are preserved...
Recommendation
The Government must take urgent action to ensure that all existing adoption records are preserved and protected from deterioration, destruction or loss. It should legislate to introduce a clear statutory duty on every record-holding institution to maintain and securely store their records. (Recommendation, Paragraph 62)
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the recommendation and will introduce regulatory changes, subject to Parliamentary approval, to require most historical adoption records to be retained for a minimum of 100 years.
Government Response
Accepted
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
ACCEPT The Government recognises the importance of preserving adoption records and ensuring they are protected and accessible over the long term. Subject to Parliamentary approval, we will introduce regulatory changes requiring most existing historical adoption records to be retained for a minimum of 100 years. This will strengthen long-term preservation and improve the ability of individuals to access information about their histories.
Source
Committee
Education Committee
Inquiry
Historical Forced Adoption
Report
8th Report - Historical Forced Adoption
27 Mar 2026
HC 1713
Addressee Bodies
Department for Education
Timeline
Recommendation age
0.3 yrs
Report published
27 Mar 2026