The Newshound

Prime Minister Andy Burnham is to hand Caribbean nations £40m ahead of talks on a formal slavery apology

Andy Burnham, the UK Prime Minister, playing cricket in Antigua, as Caribbean Community bloc chief Philip J Pierre warned that slavery apology talks which rule out reparations "cannot be a complete dialogue.
Andy Burnham, the UK Prime Minister, playing cricket in Antigua, as Caribbean Community bloc chief Philip J Pierre warned that slavery apology talks which rule out reparations "cannot be a complete dialogue.

Andy Burnham is to set out a "debt reset" plan at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua on Tuesday, offering poorer nations longer debt repayment periods and better interest rates. The £40m Caribbean infrastructure fund — covering green energy — comes from existing budgets over three years. Burnham has opened the door to a formal slavery apology, expected to be issued when Britain holds the G20 presidency next year, though he has firmly ruled out direct financial reparations.

King Charles is to address CHOGM on Tuesday and has pledged to speak about slavery with 'unflinching honesty'.

Burnham denied accusations from political opponents that his slavery apology talks had put the King under pressure, telling reporters: 'We are reaching out and listening.'

A column argued the sums being demanded — a University of the West Indies-commissioned figure of £19.7 trillion — amount to 'blackmail'.

MoreGB NewsAndy Burnham set to hand Caribbean nations £40m as Prime Minister pushed to apologise for slave tradeEvening StandardKing to speak about slavery with ‘unflinching honesty’ at Commonwealth summitEvening StandardPM’s Commonwealth ‘debt reset’ plan after opening door to slavery apologyLBCBurnham to launch 'debt reset' for Commonwealth nations - after opening door to slavery apologyBBC News - PoliticsPM plans debt re-set for Commonwealth nations as slavery apology talks beginEvening StandardPM denies claims offer of slavery apology talks made things difficult for KingThe IndependentBurnham denies putting King under pressure with slavery apology talks offerThe IndependentBurnham makes reparations stance clear ahead of key summit speech in Antigua and BarbudaDaily MailEnding slavery cost Britain far more than it ever profited from itGB NewsAndy Burnham vows to put Britain back at heart of Commonwealth as PM seeks closer Caribbean tiesThe GuardianPM to ask countries affected by UK’s role in slavery to help shape formal apologyManchester Evening NewsAndy Burnham to set out plans for Commonwealth ‘debt reset’ plan
Read today's full feed at The Newshound →