The Manchester Adoption Society will be closing in February after 40 years helping children find new homes. The Times Online reports that due to the recession and cuts in public spending, another 30 adoption agencies could also be in danger:

Councils are desperate to save money where they can, so are using their own departments, even if it means that children have to wait longer to find a permanent new home.
There has also been a long-running battle between the agencies and the local authorities because the nationally agreed £25,000 fee that …

The effect of the current recession is putting people off adopting, fears of redundancy and economic instability is forcing people to hold of for the time being:
The potential adopters, some of whom had already started attending adoption preparation groups, told the agency that fears about job prospects and finances had compelled them to delay their plans.
Others felt unable to continue with the adoption process after being made redundant.
Norman Goodwin, chief executive of Adoption Matters Northwest, said the problem had been reported across Cheshire, Lancashire, Merseyside, North Wales and Greater Manchester, …