# UK rules out reparations but opens door to slavery apology

> Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband insists British taxpayers will not pay for a formal apology on slavery, as the government pursues dialogue with Commonwealth nations.
- Title: UK rules out reparations but opens door to slavery apology
- Summary: Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband insists British taxpayers will not pay for a formal apology on slavery, as the government pursues dialogue with Commonwealth…
- Keywords: ed miliband, andy burnham, slavery apology, reparations, commonwealth, caribbean, ghana, uk government, The Independent
- Source: The Independent — https://independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/slave-trade-reparations-uk-commonwealth-ed-miliband-b3078843.html
- Published: 2026-11-04T12:37:10+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: ed miliband, andy burnham, slavery apology, reparations, commonwealth, caribbean, ghana, uk government, politics, news
## No cost to taxpayers, Miliband says
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has insisted British taxpayers will not pay a penny more as a result of Prime Minister Andy Burnham's new approach to the Commonwealth.
## Previous governments swept it under the carpet
Miliband criticised previous governments for tending to sweep under the carpet the issue of slavery but ruled out extra financial contributions or reparations for Britain's historical role.
## Blair's sorry, not sorry approach
Miliband criticised Sir Tony Blair's 2006 statement expressing deep sorrow and regret for the UK's involvement in the slave trade but stopping short of an official apology.

> "sorry, not sorry"
## Formal apology likely within a year
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has left the door open to a formal apology as he pursues structured dialogue with Commonwealth nations. Miliband said the process was likely to conclude within a year.
## Apology possible by G20 summit
Asked whether the government might reach a formal apology by the time it hosts the G20 leaders' summit in Manchester next November, Miliband said broadly speaking yes.
## Britons support apology but oppose reparations
A YouGov poll found fifty two percent of Britons favour an official apology, with thirty seven percent against. However, sixty five percent oppose paying reparations, with only twenty one percent in favour.
## Caribbean and Ghana ready to engage
St Lucia's Prime Minister Philip J Pierre, chairman of the fifteen member Caribbean Community, reportedly said the bloc was ready to engage in structured dialogue.
## UK allocates forty million for Caribbean infrastructure
The UK will allocate forty million pounds over three years from within existing budgets to speed up critical infrastructure investment including green energy in the Caribbean.
## Key takeaway

The UK government will not pay reparations for slavery but may issue a formal apology, with Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband insisting taxpayers will bear no cost.