UK will help 'reshape Commonwealth' as Burnham joins the King in the Caribbean

The prime minister has said the UK will play a leading role reshaping the Commonwealth, including pursuing a debt "reset" to help nations struggling with higher borrowing costs.

Andy Burnham has arrived in Antigua and Barbuda, where he will join the King for the Commonwealth heads of government meeting (CHOGM).

There has been significant talk in the build up over Britain's historical role in the slave trade, with Mr Burnham signalling he's "open" to calls for a formal apology.

Mr Burnham will on Tuesday say Britain wants to play its full part in shaping a new area for the Commonwealth and work with members on issues such as climate change, trade and security.

The prime minister said: "In today's more divided, unpredictable world, the Commonwealth has the potential to be a powerful force for good, bringing together a third of the global population, and I believe it is key that the UK plays its full role in that.

"Britain is bringing a new approach to this meeting, as we look to reshape a new era for the Commonwealth, as well as being open to discussions about the past.

"From trade to defence and security, together Commonwealth members can drive greater growth and opportunity for all of its citizens."

The prime minister is also expected to outline a vision for supporting countries in "debt spirals" exacerbated by rising global interest rates.

Around half the developing countries struggling with debt are in the Commonwealth, according to the government, and the PM will say non-G7 donors must join the private sector in tackling the problem.

The UK will also spearhead two new taskforces to bring businesses, investors and governments together - the first centring on critical minerals and barriers to trading, which will be set up by the end of the year.

The CHOGM summit runs until Wednesday in the capital St John's and the King will give his opening address on Tuesday.

He's expected to speak about slavery with "unflinching honesty" and "sincere sorrow", but Sky's royal correspondent says he will not be offering an apology at the meeting.

Mr Burnham, writing in The Guardian on Friday, expressed his "sorrow and regret for the pain and suffering of so many millions" affected by slavery but, like previous governments, rejected calls for financial compensation.

The prime minister said he didn't think the British people should "be held liable for historical wrongs, however heinous, that happened in a different age under different laws and in which they played no personal part".

However, he said the UK was "offering a structured dialogue with those affected by the transatlantic slave trade".

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"Listening to calls for a formal apology on behalf of the British state will form an important part of this process and I am open to them," he wrote.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch warned even an apology could lead to renewed calls for compensation and be used as "a lever to wedge open the door to ask for cash".

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