16 Apr 2025
A bill nicknamed after one of St Albans’ most famous residents has won the backing of local MP Daisy Cooper.
“Philomena’s Law” aims to ensure former mother and baby home residents, who now live in England, can claim compensation they’re rightly owed by the Irish government without fear of losing their 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, as she tries to find out what happened to him.
Campaigners, including St Albans residents Philomena and her daughter Jane, 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 breakthrough came when the Irish government opened a compensation scheme – the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme – in March 2024.
But campaigners have since highlighted that the ex-residents of these homes who now live in Britain (around 13,000 total) could lose their benefits if they claim the compensation they are owed, as this would be considered as savings when assessing their benefits eligibility.
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.
Daisy met with Liam Conlon MP and Jane Libberton to add her full support to the campaign, and said ending this injustice should be “stroke of the pen stuff”.
“Justice delayed is justice denied, and there are no excuses for not fixing this anomaly straight away.
“So many women and their children, like Philomena Lee, suffered a huge injustice and awful treatment, and it’s outrageous that they now can’t claim the compensation they’re owed, simply because of bureaucracy.
“It’s a privilege to work with campaigners like Jane Libberton, who’ve been working hard to bring justice for victims of this scandal.
“I’ve given this campaign and Liam’s Bill my full backing.
“The law must be changed as a matter of urgency. The change would be free to the British tax payer as it’s the Irish government running the compensation scheme – this really is just a case of common sense and changing the law should be ‘stroke of the pen’ stuff.
Campaigner Jane Libberton added: “My mother and I are fully behind Liam Conlon and his proposed law. Liam has taken a crucial step by introducing this bill. ‘Philomena’s Law’ is a clear and compassionate solution to ensure survivors aren’t penalised simply for receiving the compensation they’re rightly owed. No one should be forced to choose between justice and keeping their financial stability.
“It was great to meet Daisy in Parliament, and we’re really pleased by how many cross-party MPs are offering their support.
“I’ve lived in St Albans all my life and work for a local law firm, so being able to speak in Parliament on this issue that’s so close to my heart meant a great deal. It felt like an important moment in this long fight for justice.
“This campaign is not just political – it’s personal. I’m incredibly proud to stand alongside my mum, Philomena, who has shown such courage and dignity in sharing her story.
“It was also really moving to talk with so many of the Irish ladies who’ve been through these experiences. There’s such strength in their stories, and it’s vital that their voices are heard and respected.
“We’re incredibly grateful to Daisy, as our local MP, for standing with us and giving this campaign her full backing. Her support means a lot to both me and my mum, Philomena.”
