UK agrees to time-bound talks on slavery’s historical harms

Politics · First reported 5 Nov, 09:36 · Updated 23:52

Image: Wikimedia Commons · NASA Johnson Space Center / Jonny Kim · Public domain

A Commonwealth summit statement says the UK will take part in structured, time-bound, good-faith dialogue with affected parties about the transatlantic trafficking of enslaved Africans and its historical harms. Andy Burnham has ruled out financial reparations while saying he is open to a formal apology; officials have not yet set the talks’ timeframe.

The Commonwealth summit communique records the UK’s agreement to structured, inclusive, time-bound, good-faith dialogue with affected parties about the transatlantic trafficking of enslaved Africans and its historical harms.
Officials said the timeframe would be agreed later; Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband indicated the process could take about 12 months.
Burnham has said he is open to a formal apology but ruled out financial reparations.
The UK announced £40 million over three years for Caribbean infrastructure investment, including green energy; the Standard reports the funding is from existing budgets.

Summary written by Lux AI from 3 articles

Key facts

Dialogue: Structured, time-bound, inclusive, good-faith talks with affected parties about the trafficking of enslaved Africans and its historical harms.
Timeline: Officials said it would be agreed later; Miliband indicated about 12 months.
Reparations: Burnham ruled out financial or direct reparations.
Caribbean investment: £40 million over three years for infrastructure investment, including green energy; the Standard says this is from existing budgets.