Survivors of Irish mother and baby homes can continue to receive benefits in the UK after Downing Street abandoned a plan to cut payments.
Keir Starmer bowed to pressure from campaigners to back a bill known as Philomena’s Law, which would protect survivors’ benefits if they accepted compensation from Dublin.
Up to 13,000 of the survivors living in Britain risked losing access to essential means-tested benefits if they accepted compensation, which can range between €5,000 and €125,000 (£4,230-£105,000), depending on how long people have been resident.
In a joint statement, the British and Irish governments acknowledged the suffering of the victims. “In recognition of the lifelong impact this has, today the UK agrees to ignore payments under Ireland’s mother and baby compensation scheme, ensuring that survivors in both countries are treated equally and can receive the compensation to which they are entitled.”
The decision was made following an Anglo-Irish summit with Starmer and taoiseach Micheál Martin. Activists, including actors Siobhán McSweeney and Steve Coogan, had urged the government to back Philomena’s Bill, which was introduced in parliament by Labor MP Liam Conlon.
“This was about more than just compensation payments,” said Conlon, who welcomed the news. “It was also about ensuring we address the stigma and shame that has wrongly dogged so many women and their children for so long, and showing thousands of survivors the kindness and dignity they have so often been denied throughout their lives.”
Philomena Lee, a survivor, said no amount of money could ease the pain or give back what was taken from so many women. “But recognition, accountability and reparation do matter, and no survivor should be penalized for accepting the compensation they are rightfully owed,” she said.
Lee’s story of forced separation from her lost son (and her subsequent search for him) inspired the Oscar-nominated film Philomena, starring Coogan and Judi Dench.
He thanked Conlon, community organizations and other activists. “I hope this moment brings long-awaited justice for survivors living in Britain and also helps to shine a light on the legacy of mother and baby homes.”
The Irish government’s reparations scheme was introduced after an investigation detailed the plight of some 56,000 women and some 57,000 children placed or born in homes, mostly run by nuns, between 1922 and 1998. A 2021 report detailed cruelty, neglect and an alarming number of baby deaths.
The scheme began making payments in 2024. But because it considered the beneficiary’s savings, it put means-tested benefits in Britain, such as universal credit or pension credit, and financial support for social care, at risk. Councils sent letters notifying people who received payments that they would lose support such as housing benefit, leading some survivors not to accept Ireland’s compensation offer.
Patricia Carey, an activist, said the situation had created fear and anxiety. He praised Conlon and his team.
Brian Dalton, general director of the Irish group in Great Britain, said that the announcement brings peace of mind. “For our member organizations providing vital specialist support, it brings clarity to their work, ensuring survivors’ interests are adequately safeguarded.”
