In a statement in the House of Commons on Wednesday, the Prime Minister will say sorry to the estimated 150,000 children aged between three and 14 who were sent overseas, mainly to Australia and Canada, in a programme that began in the 1920s and did not stop until 1967.

Many were abused in foster homes, state-run orphanages and religious institutions.

Mr Brown announced he would apologise in November, saying the "time is now right".