17 Jun 2025
The family of one of St Albans’ most famous residents joined local MP Daisy Cooper in Parliament to listen to a debate on “Philomena’s Law”.
MPs were contemplating a change in the law which would exclude compensation given to survivors of Ireland’s mother and baby homes from assessments of their eligibility for welfare benefits.
The award-winning film Philomena (2013) starring Judi Dench and Steve Coogan, tells the true story of Philomena Lee: a survivor of one of Ireland’s mother and baby homes, whose son was forcibly adopted in the 1950s after she gave birth outside of marriage.
Campaigners, including St Albans residents Philomena and her daughter Jane Libberton, have since been fighting for justice and compensation for everyone who survived these homes, which saw women separated from their children, suffering abusive treatment and being forced to undertake unpaid work during pregnancy.
A compensation scheme opened by the Irish government – the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme – penalises ex-residents of these homes who now live in Britain, around 13,000 in total.
They could lose their benefits if they claim the compensation they are owed, as this would be considered as savings when assessing their benefits eligibility, whereas Philomena’s Law aims to fix that so compensation from this scheme is excluded from any benefit assessment.
The idea was recently introduced to Parliament as a Private Members Bill (the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme (Report) Bill) by Liam Conlon MP.
In the most recent debate, Daisy reiterated her calls on why this law change is absolutely vital, to ensure those who survived this awful treatment can obtain the justice and compensation they are owed.
She also paid tribute to Philomena, Jane, and her grandson Josh, who have long been campaigning to address the injustices faced by these survivors.
She said: “This is an absolute travesty; we have heard of this situation time and time again, with many different examples. I personally pay tribute to Philomena—my constituent—and to her daughter Jane and her grandson Josh, who are here today, for their courage in speaking about their story. I repeat my congratulations to the hon. Member for Beckenham and Penge (Liam Conlon) on securing this debate and on leading the charge in this House. Many organisations have been campaigning on this issue, and I hope that the Minister will deliver good news today and also convey a sense of urgency.
“We can hear from the speeches in this debate the jarring gap between the profound sense of wrong that happened on the one hand and the “Computer says no” system on the other. I hope sincerely that the Government recognise that gap, come to the right conclusion and respond with urgency and with compassion. That is the very least that the affected women, their families and their descendants deserve.”
Along with more than 100 UK politicians (MPs and peers), Daisy also signed an open letter expressing support for the introduction of Philomena’s Law.
Jane said: “As a family, we are fully behind Liam Conlon’s proposed Bill and everything it stands for. We are immensely grateful to Daisy Cooper, our local MP, for her heartfelt support and continued advocacy for Philomena’s Law. It means so much to us that she has taken the time to speak out so powerfully in Parliament on behalf of survivors and their families. Her compassion and determination give us real hope for change.”
Within the debate, Daisy also pressed Andrew Western MP, Minister at the Department for Work and Pensions, to back the Bill: “It is not unusual in this House for Ministers to say that things are actively under consideration. In a previous Parliament, I have been in this room when Ministers have said that repeatedly. If it is under active consideration, can the Minister please say when that might conclude? Is he in a position to give us a deadline today, or is he able instead to write to every Member that has contributed to this debate within the next 14 days with a deadline?”
He responded: “I am going to disappoint the Liberal Democrat spokesperson, because I am unable to give her that assurance today. Conversations between the UK and Irish Governments, as well as conversations between Government Departments, are ongoing. I do not want to suggest that we are leaning one way or another, or that a decision is imminent.”
Despite this lack of clarity from the Government, Daisy said she is resolved to keep campaigning with affected survivors and their families until Philomena’s Law becomes legislation.
