Steve Coogan

Steve Coogan is an actor who, along with others like Siobhán McSweeney, has been advocating for the rights of survivors of Ireland's mother and baby homes living in the UK. These survivors faced potential or actual cuts to their UK benefits after accepting compensation from the Irish government for the abuses they suffered. Coogan and other campaigners have been calling on Keir Starmer to support 'Philomena's Law,' a bill designed to ringfence these survivors' benefits, ensuring they are not penalized for receiving compensation. The UK government initially planned to cut these benefits, but later dropped the plan following pressure. Coogan's involvement highlights the intersection of celebrity advocacy and social justice issues, bringing attention to the plight of vulnerable individuals and influencing policy decisions.