# UK agrees to slave trade reparations talks addressing ‘historical harms’

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/uk-agrees-to-slave-trade-reparations-talks-addressing-historical-harms/
- Published: 2026-11-05T06:08:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-05T07:27:14+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Express (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2263412/uk-agrees-time-bound-slave-trade-talks-commonwealth-dialogue-begins
- Topics: UK, World

## Key points

- UK agrees to time-bound talks on slavery’s historical harms.
- A formal apology is possible, but direct reparations are ruled out.
- £40 million is pledged for Caribbean infrastructure over three years.

## Summary

Commonwealth leaders say the UK has agreed to take part in structured talks with affected parties about the transatlantic slave trade and its historical harms. The commitment marks a shift towards formal discussion of the issue, amid renewed calls for an apology and reparations.

The talks’ timetable has yet to be set, though Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has suggested they could conclude within 12 months. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has signalled openness to a formal apology but ruled out direct financial reparations; the UK also plans to allocate £40 million over three years from existing budgets for infrastructure projects, including green energy, in the Caribbean.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.