What does Britain ‘owe’ Caribbean nations in reparations for slavery?

Still afloat

Transport Secretary Louise Haigh nearly lost Britain an investment in an expansion of London Gateway docks by calling P&O  a ‘rogue operator’ and imploring us all to boycott its ferries. The company, owned by DP World since 2006, was once considered by the UK government to be the most trustworthy shipping line around. As the Peninsula Steam Navigation Company, it built its reputation on a contract awarded by the Admiralty in 1837 to carry mail to Spain and Portugal. Three years later it was also awarded the contract to carry mail to Egypt, adding the name ‘Oriental’ to its name. By 1914 it was carrying mail to India.

Sorry figures

Some fantasy figures for what Britain apparently owes Caribbean nations in reparations for slavery:

– £200bn: what 15 nations are said to be going to ask Britain for at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting next week.

– £205bn, according to Michael Banner, dean of Trinity College, Cambridge.

– £3.9tn is owed to Barbados by Britain and other former slave-owning nations,  according to Mia Mottley, the island’s Prime Minister.

– £18.8tn is owed by Britain to 14 former colonies, according to Brattle Group Report, commissioned by the University
of West Indies and others.

– No, £18.8tn is an underestimate, according to UN judge Patrick Robinson, although he hasn’t suggested a higher figure.

Direct hits

The government held an investment summit. How did G7 members fare for net foreign direct investment last year?

US $310.9bn

Canada $50.3bn

France $42bn

Germany $36.6bn

Japan $21.4bn

Italy $18.2bn

UK –$168.4bn

Source: UN Trade and Development

Reaping the benefits

Pensioners are to lose their winter fuel payment unless they are in receipt of pension credit. What proportion of eligible pensioners actually claim benefits?

– In 2023, 65% of those entitled to pension credit claimed it, up from 63% in 2022.

– 78% of the money which could have been claimed was claimed (up from 73% in 2022).