Tom Gordon MP Stands Up for Adoptive Families as Government Cuts Vital Support Fund

Tom Gordon, Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, has spoken out in defence of adoptive families and children following the Government’s decision to cut the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF).

Speaking in today’s Westminster Hall debate on Government Support for Children in Adoptive and Kinship Placements, Tom challenged the Minister on the consequences of these cuts. He reminded her of her own comments during his adjournment debate in April on adoption breakdown, where she acknowledged that support for adoptive children is ‘critical’ in preventing adoption disruption and breakdown.

Tom pressed the Minister to explain how the Government can, on one hand, acknowledge the importance of support for adoptive families, yet on the other, claim that cutting the ASGSF fund will have no impact. While the overall size of the fund may not have been reduced, spreading it across more families inevitably means each will receive less – a reality the Minister appears unwilling to confront. Tom made clear that these changes will not go unnoticed by the families affected.

The ASGSF provides critical funding for therapeutic services for adoptive and special guardianship families across England, supporting children who face some of the greatest barriers to opportunity. The fund has transformed thousands of lives – yet the Government has mishandled it repeatedly this year.

In March, the Government allowed the fund to expire before announcing a last-minute extension the following day. This uncertainty disrupted therapy for thousands of children, paused new applications, and left families in limbo. Even after the extension was confirmed, the Government announced major changes, including cuts to funding for individual therapy.

Tom has been contacted by many constituents who describe the fund as a "lifeline" and warn of the devastating impact these changes will have. Yesterday, he attended a drop-in event hosted by Adoption UK, where he heard first-hand from adoptive and special guardianship families about the anxiety and stress these cuts are causing.

In gutting the fund, the Government has not only caused widespread anxiety among adoptive parents, special guardians and kinship carers, but is also threatening to undermine the core purpose of the fund, which is to meet the additional needs that many children in alternative guardianship arrangements have.

Tom and his Liberal Democrat colleagues are calling on the Government to reverse the cuts and reaffirm its commitment to supporting vulnerable children and the families who care for them. He recently co-signed a letter with Munira Wilson MP to Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, urging the Government to urgently rethink its approach.

Tom has previously campaigned on this issue. In April, he led a debate in the House of Commons on adoption disruption in the UK. In preparing for that debate, it became clear that post-adoption support remains patchy, underfunded, and plagued by delays – a situation these cuts will only worsen.

Commenting, Tom said: 

“I was shocked by the Minister’s failure today to acknowledge the serious impact these cuts will have on the children and families affected.

“This isn’t just a funding decision – it’s a betrayal of children who need our support the most.

“The ASGSF is not a luxury. It’s vital to preventing adoption breakdown and helping families through incredibly tough times.

“If the Government truly wants to support vulnerable children, it must reverse these cuts and commit to long-term, stable funding. Every child deserves the best possible start in life.”

ENDS