British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on October 30 that he would consider making a formal apology on behalf of the British government for participating in the slave trade in the country's history, but refused to pay financial compensation to the descendants of victims of the slave trade. Burnham published a signed article in Britain's “Guardian” on the same day saying that Britain should face up to the history of participation in the transatlantic slave trade, and that the British government will engage in dialogue with all parties affected by the slave trade. “Listening to calls from various circles for a formal apology from the British government will be an important part of this work, and I am open to this.” However, Burnham objected to financial compensation. He suggested that Britain can push for debt restructuring in some poor Commonwealth countries to help these countries extend debt repayment periods and lower interest rates.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on October 30 that he would consider making a formal apology on behalf of the British government for participating in the slave trade in the country's history, but refused to pay financial compensation to the descendants of victims of the slave trade. Burnham published a signed article in Britain's “Guardian” on the same day saying that Britain should face up to the history of participation in the transatlantic slave trade, and that the British government will engage in dialogue with all parties affected by the slave trade. “Listening to calls from various circles for a formal apology from the British government will be an important part of this work, and I am open to this.” However, Burnham objected to financial compensation. He suggested that Britain can push for debt restructuring in some poor Commonwealth countries to help these countries extend debt repayment periods and lower interest rates.