The Commonwealth summit in Samoa has sparked renewed calls for reparations from countries affected by the UK's transatlantic slave trade. While Prime Minister Keir Starmer has ruled out discussing reparations, other leaders are pushing forward with plans to examine "reparatory justice". The issue is not on the official agenda, but some countries have proposed a 10-point reparation plan, including a formal apology and debt cancellation.
The UK's role in the slave trade began in 1562 and continued until the 19th century. According to estimates, British ships transported over 3 million Africans to North American and Caribbean colonies. The issue of reparations is contentious, with some arguing that the legacy of the slave trade continues to plague Caribbean countries.