The government has announced that Philomena’s Law will be introduced to protect survivors of Ireland’s Mother and Baby Homes living in Britain from losing vital means-tested benefits after accepting compensation from the Irish government’s redress scheme.
The announcement follows a year-long campaign led by Liam Conlon MP and the national charity Irish in Britain, which secured cross-party backing from more than 100 MPs and peers. Prominent Irish public figures including Siobhán McSweeney, Dara Ó Briain, Emma Dabiri and Steve Coogan have also supported the campaign.
The measure was confirmed on Friday 13 March at the UK–Ireland Summit in Cork, where the Prime Minister and the Taoiseach jointly announced the commitment.
Under the change, payments received through Ireland’s Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme will be ringfenced and will not be counted as savings when assessing eligibility for UK benefits such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit, and Housing Benefit.
Survivors in Britain
For thousands of survivors living in Britain, this removes a deeply worrying situation that had forced many to choose between accepting long-awaited redress for the abuse they experienced, or retaining the financial support they rely on through means-tested benefits.
Campaigners say the reform ensures that compensation intended to acknowledge historic injustice does not inadvertently cause further financial hardship for survivors.
The campaign takes its name from Philomena Lee, whose decades-long search for her son – taken from her at Sean Ross Abbey in Roscrea – brought global attention to the experiences of women and children in the institutions. Her story reached an international audience through the Oscar-nominated film Philomena, starring Steve Coogan and Dame Judi Dench.
Philomena Lee herself has supported the campaign since its inception and welcomed the Government’s decision. Responding to the announcement, she said:
“As someone who experienced the cruelty of a Mother and Baby home, I know that no amount of money can ever undo the pain or give back what was taken from so many women like me. But recognition, accountability and redress do matter, and no survivor should ever be penalised for accepting the compensation they are rightfully owed.
“I am truly pleased that the Government has recognised this by confirming that Philomena’s Law will now come into effect. This is a deeply meaningful step forward, and I’m sincerely grateful to everyone who has worked so tirelessly to make it happen, including Liam, Irish in Britain and all of its member organisations across the country.
“It has been a real honour to lend my name to this campaign. I hope this moment brings long-awaited justice for survivors living in Britain, and that it also helps shine a light on the legacy of the Mother and Baby homes, reminding us all of the importance of treating survivors with dignity, compassion and kindness.”
Liam Conlon MP said:
“I’m delighted the Prime Minister has announced the government’s support for Philomena’s Law, helping to deliver long-awaited justice for nearly 13,000 survivors in Britain.
I’m proud to have led this campaign, working with Irish community organisations right across the country, and so many survivors who came forward with courage and determination.
“When I introduced this Bill to Parliament exactly one year ago, I said this was about more than redress payments. It was also about ensuring that we tackle the stigma and shame that have wrongly followed so many women for so long, and about showing thousands of survivors the kindness and dignity they have so often been denied throughout their lives. I feel we have achieved that today with this historic change in the law.
“This has all been about survivors – and their voices and stories have been at the heart of this campaign from the beginning. They include Philomena Lee – and I would like to extend my thanks and gratitude once again to Philomena for lending her name to this campaign, for her courage in telling her story to a global audience, and the support of all her family including her daughter Jane and grandson Joshua who were in Parliament every step of the way.”
Patricia Carey, Special Advocate for Survivors of Institutional Abuse welcomed the announcement:
"I am acutely aware of how critical this historic disregard will be for Survivors living in Britain who spent time in Ireland’s Mother and Baby Institutions.
We are aware from engaging directly with Survivors living in Britain, that this situation has resulted in a lot of fear and anxiety for people, who are understandably concerned about the impact of accepting redress on their means-tested social benefits...
Liam Conlon MP and his team are to be commended for bringing forward this important, timely and much needed legislation."
Brian Dalton, CEO of Irish in Britain, said:
“This is very welcome news for those living with the legacy of institutional abuse in Ireland’s Mother and Baby Homes and some assurance of fairness for those waiting to access redress payments here in Britain.
"For our member organisations providing vital specialist support, it brings clarity to their work, ensuring survivors’ interests are properly safeguarded.”