Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme: Capital Disregard

10 June 2025 · 12 other contributors · 9,238 words

Opened by Liam Conlon Lab Beckenham and Penge

Responding minister: Andrew Western

Benefits & Welfare

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Liam Conlon raised concerns about mother and baby institutions payment scheme: capital disregard in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Concerns raised about Philomena Lee's experience and the mistreatment of over 56,000 women and 57,000 children in Irish mother and baby homes until the 1990s.
  • The compensation scheme opened in March 2021 but has resulted in survivors losing benefits like housing benefit or pension credit due to the payment being considered as savings.
  • The Government is asked to introduce an indefinite capital disregard for payments made under Philomena's law to prevent victims from losing means-tested benefits and social care support.

Key requests to Government

The Government should introduce an indefinite capital disregard for payments made under Philomena's law so that victims do not lose their means-tested benefits and social care support due to the compensation received.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Liam Conlon Lab Beckenham and Penge

Philomena Lee was sent to Sean Ross Abbey mother and baby home in Ireland where she gave birth to her son, Anthony. She never saw him again after he was sold for adoption. There were more than 56,000 women and 57,000 children who suffered mistreatment and abuse in Irish mother and baby homes until the 1990s. The compensation scheme opened in March 2021 but has resulted in additional burdens as any money accepted through the payment scheme is considered savings, leading to a loss of benefits such as housing benefit or pension credit for more than 13,000 survivors living in Britain.

Other contributors (12)
  • Andrew Western MP constituency not mentioned in this chunk

    Explained that conversations are ongoing between UK and Irish Governments, but no decision has been made yet as it is a significant change with broader implications.

  • Carla Lockhart DUP Upper Bann

    Suggests that if 'Philomena’s law' is applied by the UK Parliament, it should include Northern Ireland to address similar issues faced there. Called for Northern Ireland to be part of the conversation from a UK-wide perspective, considering the small number impacted and cost.

  • Daisy Cooper LD St Albans

    Pays tribute to Liam Conlon's leadership on this issue and stresses urgency in providing justice for survivors and their families, noting the cross-party support the campaign has gained. Pays tribute to Philomena and her family for their courage in speaking about the issue. Calls on the Government to respond with urgency and compassion. Asked for a deadline on when the Government will decide whether to disregard payments from Ireland’s mother and baby institutions scheme.

  • Daniel Francis Lab Bexleyheath and Crayford

    Supports the idea of disregarding rules so survivors can keep both their compensation from the scheme and any benefit they are entitled to, citing work by Irish Community Services in his constituency.

  • Gregory Campbell DUP East Londonderry

    Congratulates Liam Conlon on securing this debate, highlighting how films like 'Philomena' bring attention to important issues that might otherwise remain unseen.

  • Ian Byrne Lab Liverpool West Derby

    Represented Liverpool’s Irish community and diaspora in supporting survivors and victims of the Irish mother and baby homes scandal; welcomed the Irish Government's compensation scheme and highlighted Liverpool Echo report on up to 40% of eligible former residents living in UK.

  • Liam Conlon Lab Stretford and Urmston

    Paid tribute to the many excellent contributions this afternoon, highlighting the importance of film and culture in discussing institutional abuse.

  • Lola McEvoy

    She supports the campaign, noting that internalised shame contributes to low uptake rates. The debate aims to draw a line and say such injustices will not happen again. Suggested extending the capital disregard functionality to future compensation schemes, instead of each campaign group going through trauma trying to get an exemption for people on means-tested benefits.

  • Rachel Hopkins Lab Luton South and South Bedfordshire

    Supports Philomena’s law, sharing the story of her constituent Christina who faced abuse in foster care after being left at a church by her mother. Emphasises the need to address barriers preventing survivors from accessing compensation. Stressed that those eligible should receive payments they deserve without delays and with easy process free from stress, highlighting the importance of kindness and respect in dealing with survivors.

  • Rebecca Long Bailey Lab Salford

    Supports the need for trauma-informed administration of the compensation scheme to ensure no additional harm is inflicted upon survivors who apply for it.

  • Rebecca Smith Con South West Devon

    Reflects on the stories shared during the debate, highlighting the impact of institutional cover-ups and the need for compensation without impacting benefits entitlements. Mentions 35,000 women impacted over a century.

  • Steve Darling LD Torbay

    Congratulated Liam Conlon on leading the charge for justice through his campaign; highlighted the significant impact trauma had on those young women's lives, urging quick action on Philomena’s law and mentioning personal experience of adoption.

Government Response

Andrew Western

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

Responding to the debate, Andrew Western highlights the importance of addressing the historical injustice faced by individuals in mother and baby institutions. He acknowledges the significant number of people potentially affected who now live in the UK but emphasizes that determining exact numbers or costs is challenging due to various factors including movement between countries.

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