Britain’s involvement in the transatlantic slave trade is not simply a matter of history. Its economic, social and institutional consequences continue to shape discussions about racial inequality today.
One particularly troubling aspect is that when slavery was abolished in most of the British Empire in 1833, the British Government compensated slave owners, not the enslaved people.
The Government borrowed £20 million to fund compensation to slave owners, an enormous sum at the time. The associated government borrowing was not fully redeemed until 2015. That does not mean individual slave owners continued receiving compensation until 2015, but British taxpayers were still servicing the legacy of that borrowing.
Making amends could therefore involve more than an apology. It could combine historical acknowledgement, economic repair, institutional reform and measurable action against racism.
Here are ten proposals that address both the historical injustice and the discrimination experienced by Black people in Britain today.
Ten proposals for meaningful change
1. A formal government apology and acknowledgement
The British Government could issue an unequivocal formal apology for Britain’s role in slavery, recognising the exploitation, violence, family separation and lasting consequences.
An apology should be accompanied by a public commitment to action, rather than being treated as the conclusion of the matter.
2. Establish a national reparations and racial justice fund
Create a substantial, independently governed fund to address the enduring consequences of slavery and racial inequality.
This could support Black communities through education, housing, business investment, health services and community development. The fund’s size, eligibility and governance would require public consultation, including with descendant communities.
3. Teach the full history of slavery and the British Empire
Ensure that schools teach the history of Britain’s involvement in slavery, including resistance by enslaved Africans, abolition movements, colonial exploitation and the compensation paid to slave owners.
This should also cover the contributions of Black people to British history, science, culture and society.
Black history should be part of British history throughout the curriculum, not confined to Black History Month.
4. Tackle institutional racism with enforceable accountability
Public institutions, including the police, NHS, education system, courts and local authorities, could face stronger requirements to identify and address racial disparities.
Independent scrutiny, published equality data and enforceable improvement plans would make it harder for organisations to acknowledge racism without changing their practices.
5. Close racial inequalities in employment and pay
Introduce mandatory ethnicity pay gap reporting for larger employers, alongside action plans to address unjustified differences.
Strengthen protections against discrimination in recruitment, promotion, disciplinary proceedings and workplace treatment.
Employers should be assessed on measurable outcomes, not simply the number of diversity training sessions delivered.
6. Invest in Black economic opportunity and wealth creation
Develop targeted programmes to address documented barriers faced by Black entrepreneurs and households.
Measures could include fairer access to business finance, mentoring, procurement opportunities, affordable housing and financial education.
Such programmes should address structural barriers while using transparent, evidence-based eligibility criteria.
7. Reform policing and criminal justice
Address racial disparities in stop and search, use of force, sentencing outcomes and treatment within the criminal justice system.
This could include stronger independent oversight, transparent publication of data, improved complaints procedures and consequences where discriminatory conduct is established.
Trust requires accountability as well as community engagement.
8. Address racial inequalities in healthcare
Invest in research and services to tackle racial disparities in health outcomes, including maternal healthcare, mental health support and access to appropriate treatment.
Healthcare professionals should receive evidence-based training to recognise discriminatory assumptions, with healthcare providers accountable for improvements in patient experiences and outcomes.
9. Require institutions that profited from slavery to investigate and repair their legacies
Banks, universities, businesses, religious organisations and other institutions with documented historical links to slavery could be required or encouraged to investigate and disclose those connections.
Where links are established, institutions could contribute to scholarships, research, community investment or other forms of restorative action.
This would recognise that responsibility for addressing historical harm is not confined to central government.
10. Establish an independent commission for racial justice and reparative action
Create an independent body with meaningful representation from Black British communities, historians, equality specialists and other relevant stakeholders.
Its role could include examining historical harms, assessing contemporary inequalities, recommending reparative measures and monitoring government progress.
It should publish regular reports setting out what has changed, what has failed and what further action is required.
Why this remains relevant in 2026
There is contemporary evidence of racial inequality. Home Office figures for the year ending March 2026 show that Black or Black British people in England and Wales were stopped and searched at 4.1 times the rate of White people. This disparity does not, by itself, establish the cause of every search, but it is a significant issue for accountability.
The historical financial injustice is also documented by the National Archives and Bank of England.
Reparations remain politically contested. Supporters emphasise historical responsibility, inherited disadvantage and restorative justice. Critics question how responsibility, eligibility, funding and compensation should be determined across generations. These are important questions for any workable scheme.
The central principle behind these ten proposals is that acknowledging historical injustice and addressing present-day racism are connected, but require different forms of action.
A meaningful programme would need clear targets, independent oversight, sustained funding and evidence that Black people’s opportunities and treatment are improving.