Ed Miliband has insisted an apology from the UK Government over the transatlantic slave trade will not cost British taxpayers despite Andy Burnham preparing to hand Caribbean nations a £40million economic package.
The Foreign Secretary told the BBC previous administrations had a “sweep it under the carpet” mindset towards the issue, lamenting at what he described as Sir Tony Blair’s “sorry not sorry” comments.
Mr Miliband acknowledged while the former prime minister expressed “deep sorrow and regret” over the slave trade, he said No10 subsequently “walked back” on the remarks.
Mr Burnham travelled to Antigua on Monday for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, where he is expected to pledge funds for schemes across the region.
The Prime Minister will lay out strategies to assist poorer member states with debt – while Britain’s own debt mounts to £3trillion, as of September 2026.
Despite the £40million package, the Foreign Secretary insisted No10’s approach will not result in higher costs for the British taxpayer.
He said: “I did have this conversation with our partners in advance.
“I said, ‘look, we are going to say we are willing to say that we’re open to an apology, but we’re not going to shift our position on reparations’.
“It’s not for us. 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.”
The bumper economic assistance will be handed to Caribbean nations over three years and is intended to help speed up infrastructure projects, including green energy, in the region.
The UK Government is expected to cover the £40million costs out of existing budgets.
Over the weekend, Mr Burnham admitted he was contemplating offering an apology on behalf of Britain’s involvement in the historic trade.
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However, Downing Street has ruled out paying reparations directly, while Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, cautioned against issuing an apology at all.
She argued an apology over slavery was designed to make Britain appear “weak” on the global stage.
The Tory leader said: “When is China sorry? China did all sorts of things. It’s not out there apologising.
“The purpose of the apology is to make us look weak.
“Once we start looking weak, then we have every man and his dog making demands and sending us an invoice, which the British taxpayer has (to) pay. We don’t have money for that anymore.”
As well as plans to help fund infrastructure projects in the Caribbean, Mr Burnham is expected to outline plans for a “debt reset”.
This would aim to support Commonwealth countries dealing with the growing cost of interest on their debts.
In his speech to Commonwealth leaders yesterday, King Charles described slavery as a “shameful chapter of history” – but stopped short at offering a full apology.
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