A landmark BBC documentary reveals how the British state forced approximately 250,000 unmarried women to give up their babies through coercive adoption practices. Told by the mothers affected, the film exposes a decades-long scandal involving systemic pressure, social stigma, and state-sanctioned removals of infants. The documentary, titled 'Stolen Babies', contains upsetting scenes and discriminatory language reflective of the era.

It premiered on 1 September 2026 and remains available for 11 months. The programme is part of a broader BBC initiative offering support via bbc.co.uk/actionline for viewers impacted by its content. The film draws on personal testimonies to illustrate the emotional and legal trauma inflicted on women and children.

It highlights how societal norms and government policy combined to separate mothers from their babies against their will. The documentary is described as a groundbreaking insight into a painful chapter of UK social history.