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BAAF “deeply disappointed” at House of Lords decision not to allow unmarried couples to adopt

Issued: 17 October 02

Leading adoption charity BAAF (The British Association for Adoption & Fostering) last night commented as follows on the House of Lords decision not to allow unmarried couples to adopt jointly.

Felicity Collier, Chief Executive of BAAF Adoption & Fostering says:

"We are deeply disappointed that the House of Lords has not appeared to have understood that children are already living with unmarried couples of whom only one is the legal adoptive parent."

"Of course, both adults will have been rigorously vetted and approved as suitable to make this lifelong commitment. This vote means that their children will never have the opportunity of having both their carers share the legal responsibility for their future."

"We urge the House of Commons to reconsider this important issue to give these children the chance in life that they deserve. Common-sense must prevail and children must come first. We cannot use adoption to campaign for a different family structure to the one that is the reality of so many families today."

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Lucy Handford, Media Assistant, 020 7593 2054