British slavery reparations

The latest development

🇬🇧 United KingdomWorld1 Nov 2026

Burnham open to slavery apology but rejects reparations

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham says he is willing to hear calls for an official apology for the United Kingdom’s historical role in slavery, but rejects financial reparations. He set out this position before the Commonwealth summit in Antigua and Barbuda, where the issue is expected to be raised, according to The Guardian.

Source: MyJoyOnline

Timeline

1. Sunday, 1 November 2026

   • Burnham open to slavery apology but rejects reparations

     UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham says he is willing to hear calls for an official apology for the United Kingdom’s historical role in slavery, but rejects financial reparations. He set out this position before the Commonwealth summit in Antigua and Barbuda, where the issue is expected to be raised, according to The Guardian.

     🇬🇧 United Kingdom · 23:04

   • Mahama calls for British apology over slave trade

     Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama welcomed British Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s remarks on the transatlantic slave trade and reparatory justice, while calling on the United Kingdom to issue an official apology. He also called for structured dialogue with the African Union, the Caribbean Community and the African diaspora, according to a statement published on 1 November 2026.

     🇬🇭 Ghana · 19:29

   • London rejects slavery reparations and proposes debt relief

     UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham rejects financial reparations linked to the transatlantic slave trade and proposes restructuring the debt of poor Commonwealth countries. The initiative is to be put forward at the Commonwealth leaders’ summit in the Caribbean, according to The Guardian.

     🇬🇧 United Kingdom · 02:36

2. Saturday, 31 October 2026

   • Andy Burnham opens debate on UK apology for slavery

     Andy Burnham says he is willing to discuss an official UK apology for its role in the transatlantic slave trade, but rules out financial reparations, according to Bénin Web TV and France 24. He instead proposes debt relief for poor countries in an opinion piece published by The Guardian ahead of the Commonwealth summit, according to Bénin Web TV.

     🇬🇧 United Kingdom · 14:15