Slavery reparations ‘not feasible’ for UK – Foreign minister
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Vanguard News
Reported by Ayobami
Wed, 4 Nov 2026, 11:14
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Britain’s Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has said it was “not feasible” for the country to pay reparations for slavery, after King Charles III expressed remorse amid calls for a formal apology and compensation. Miliband also hinted that Britain could issue a long-demanded formal apology for its role in the slave trade next year when it hosts a G20 leaders’ summit.
Context & Background
✦At the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda, Prime Minister Andy Burnham floated a “debt reset” plan for the poorest Commonwealth countries that could alter interest rates on repayments.
Key Figures & Named Entities
Wednesday:It’s not feasible for us, but there are things we can work on co-operatively,” Miliband told the BBC in an interview aired Wednesday.Tuesday:Burnham told reporters on Tuesday: “I’ve been very clear that we do not support reparations … but it’s not the case that we don’t support countries in the Commonwealth around development helping them with debt issues that they’ve got”.2024:In a tense Commonwealth meeting in Samoa in 2024, countries backed talks over reparatory justice after Britain, then under Keir Starmer’s leadership, tried to avoid addressing the issue.
Outlook & Next Steps
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Key Takeaways
Verified Extract
✦Britain’s Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has said it was “not feasible” for the country to pay reparations for slavery, after King Charles III expressed remorse amid calls for a formal apology and compensation.
✦Miliband also hinted that Britain could issue a long-demanded formal apology for its role in the slave trade next year when it hosts a G20 leaders’ summit.
✦At the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda, Prime Minister Andy Burnham floated a “debt reset” plan for the poorest Commonwealth countries that could alter interest rates on repayments.
Key Facts:Wednesday: It’s not feasible for us, but there are things we can work on co-operatively,” Miliband told the BBC in an interview aired Wednesday.Tuesday: Burnham told reporters on Tuesday: “I’ve been very clear that we do not support reparations … but it’s not the case that we don’t support countries in the Commonwealth around development helping them with debt issues that they’ve got”.2024: In a tense Commonwealth meeting in Samoa in 2024, countries backed talks over reparatory justice after Britain, then under Keir Starmer’s leadership, tried to avoid addressing the issue.Wednesday: Charles and Queen Camilla are to end their Caribbean tour and depart from Antigua and Barbuda on Wednesday.
Editorial Excerpt
"It's not the right answer. It's not practical. It's not feasible for us, but there are things we can work on co-operatively," Miliband told the BBC in an interview aired Wednesday. He added that London would not "shift our position on reparations".
Frequently Asked Questions About This Story
What is the key takeaway from this report?
Britain’s Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has said it was “not feasible” for the country to pay reparations for slavery, after King Charles III expressed remorse amid calls for a formal apology and compensation.
What additional context is highlighted in this report?
Miliband also hinted that Britain could issue a long-demanded formal apology for its role in the slave trade next year when it hosts a G20 leaders’ summit.
What timeline or key figures were confirmed?
It’s not feasible for us, but there are things we can work on co-operatively,” Miliband told the BBC in an interview aired Wednesday.