Philomena's Law takes effect in Britain, shielding Irish redress payments from benefits penalty
Survivors of mother and baby homes can now claim compensation without losing welfare support, but only about 1,000 of up to 13,000 who may be eligible have done so
Philomena's Law came into effect in Britain today, removing the risk that made many survivors of Ireland's mother and baby homes reluctant to claim financial redress for fear of losing welfare benefits. The law, named after campaigner Philomena Lee, ring-fences payments from the Irish Government's redress scheme so they no longer count towards means-tested income. Labour MP Liam Conlon, who promoted the bill, called it a historic day and the first time British law has ring-fenced a payment from a foreign government.