For Rosemary Adaser, a payment meant to acknowledge a lifetime of state-sponsored trauma has instead develop into a source of profound anxiety. At 70 years traditional, the West London resident finds herself trapped in a bureaucratic paradox: accepting the restitution she is owed for childhood abuse in Ireland could cost her the roof over her head.
The dilemma centers on the Irish mother and baby home compensation UK survivors are currently attempting to navigate. While the Irish government opened a payment scheme in 2024 to compensate those placed in abusive institutions, a legal loophole in the United Kingdom’s benefits system means that for many, this money is a poisoned chalice. Because the compensation comes from a foreign government, it does not qualify for standard “capital disregard” provisions, meaning the funds are treated as cash savings during means-testing for social care and benefits.
For Adaser, who lives in Ealing, the stakes are immediate. Accepting the settlement would likely trigger a reduction in her housing benefit of at least £1,000 a month, effectively trading a one-time payment for a permanent loss of financial stability. This systemic failure has left approximately 13,000 survivors in the UK in a state of precarious limbo, forced to choose between a long-overdue apology in the form of money and the basic means of survival.
The disparity is most visible within Adaser’s own family. She and her brother, Anthony, were twins separated from their parents and placed into institutions during the 1950s. Because Anthony still resides in Ireland, he has received his compensation without penalty. He has described the situation as “galling,” noting that while the settlement provided him with peace of mind in retirement, his sister is robbed of that same closure.
A childhood of separation and stigma
The Adaser twins were born in Belfast to a Ghanaian doctor and an Irish hospital receptionist. In the rigid, theocratic atmosphere of 1950s Ireland, children born outside of marriage were often viewed as symbols of shame, leading to the institutionalization of tens of thousands of children.
Rosemary and Anthony were separated at age six and did not reunite until they were 12. For Rosemary, the experience was defined by what she describes as “relentless degradation at every level.” She endured neglect and forced labor in institutions across Dublin and Kilkenny, but she likewise faced the compounding trauma of racial prejudice in a society where she could not blend in.
“I thought the N-word was a pet name, until an older girl slapped me across the face and said, ‘Look up the meaning.’ Here’s not about me saying I had it worse – in an institution where are you are beaten up before breakfast, it doesn’t matter what the colour of your skin is. But everywhere I went I was noticed, and whereas my peers could abandon institutions and blend in with Irish society, I couldn’t.”
At 16, the cycle of institutionalization repeated when Adaser became pregnant; her son was taken from her, though they eventually reunited in adulthood. She narrowly avoided being sent to a Magdalene laundry—infamous for forced labor and seclusion—thanks to the intervention of Bryan and Mary Rothery, a progressive Irish couple who supported her and encouraged her to seek a recent life in England.
Moving to London in 1976, Adaser found a sanctuary in the city’s vibrant Black political scene. While the era was often hostile toward Irish immigrants, she noted that her appearance shielded her from some of that specific prejudice. She eventually built a successful career as a housing director, raising her family without relying on state support until her retirement.
The ‘Philomena’s Law’ Promise
The current crisis has sparked a push for legislative change in Westminster. On March 13, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the government’s intention to introduce “Philomena’s law,” a measure designed to protect survivors from being penalized for accepting compensation for historical abuse. The law is named in reference to the widely known stories of survivors of the mother and baby home system.
But, for survivors like Adaser, a promise of future legislation provides little comfort in the present. There is currently no legislative timetable for the bill, nor are there any interim protections to prevent the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) from cutting benefits the moment a payment is received.
Campaigners argue that this delay is a continuation of the same systemic neglect survivors faced decades ago. Adaser described the government’s inaction as “another institutional abuse,” stating that she is now too terrified to apply for the compensation because she cannot risk losing the housing benefit that allows her to remain independent.
Comparison of Compensation Impacts
| Survivor Location | Benefit Impact | Financial Outcome | Current Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ireland | None/Minimal | Full access to settlement funds | Compensated |
| United Kingdom | High (Means-tested) | Potential loss of housing/social benefits | At risk/Delayed |
| UK (with Philomena’s Law) | Protected | Settlement preserved without penalty | Proposed/Pending |
The fight for interim protection
The legal battle is now focusing on the gap between the Prime Minister’s announcement and the actual implementation of the law. Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC, Adaser’s lawyer, has called for the government to issue immediate directives to local authorities to freeze benefit adjustments for survivors during this interim period.
“How much longer are elderly, distressed survivors expected to wait?” Gallagher asked, emphasizing that the vulnerability of this specific population makes the delay particularly cruel.
The DWP has stated that it is “carefully considering” the situation, but has not yet provided a mechanism for survivors to accept their payments without risking their livelihoods. For Adaser, the compensation would not be a luxury, but a means to make her home safe and secure her independence in her final years.
Disclaimer: This article provides information regarding government benefits and legal proposals and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Individuals affected by these issues should consult with a qualified legal professional or a benefits advisor.
The next critical checkpoint will be the publication of the legislative timetable for Philomena’s Law. Until then, thousands of survivors remain in a state of forced hesitation, unable to accept the state’s apology for fear of the state’s bureaucracy.
Do you have experience with the mother and baby home compensation schemes or the UK benefits system? Share your thoughts or reach out to us in the comments below.
