An amendment to the Adoption and Children Bill that would allow unmarried couples, including those of the same sex, to jointly adopt children won backing from a majority of MPs this week.
A Conservative amendment to limit the move to heterosexual couples was defeated by 301 votes to 174.
Former social worker David Hinchliffe's amendment to the bill was backed by 288 MPs while 133 MPs voted against.
The change would allow unmarried couples to adopt the 5,000 children in care awaiting for adoption.
BAAF Adoption and Fostering has welcomed the vote. Chief executive Felicity Collier said: "We recognise that it is a complicated issue, and we will be taking time to discuss it thoroughly with members of the House of Lords".
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