GB News, on UK Politics, 4 November 2026

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Politics news: Ed Miliband says slavery apology will NOT cost British taxpayers

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BREAKING Abdul El-Sayed becomes US's first ever Muslim senator after Michigan win 1793781329.594 Live Ed Miliband says slavery apology will NOT cost British taxpayers despite Andy Burnham set to hand over £40MILLION Stay up-to-date with all the latest political coverage from GB News below Ed Miliband has insisted an apology from the British Government over the transatlantic slave trade will not cost taxpayers despite Andy Burnham preparing to hand Caribbean nations a £40million package for green energy schemes.

The Foreign Secretary told the BBC that previous governments had a "sweep it under the carpet" mindset towards the issue, lamenting at what he described as Sir Tony Blair's "sorry not sorry" comments. Mr Miliband acknowledged that while the former Prime Minister expressed "deep sorrow and regret" over the slave trade, he said No10 subsequently "walked back" on the remarks. Mr Burnham travelled to Antigua on Monday for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, where he is expected to pledge funds for schemes across the region.

The Prime Minister will lay out strategies to assist poorer member states with debt - while Britain's own debt mounts to £3billion, as of September 2026. Over the weekend, on behalf of Britain's involvement in the historic trade. However, No10 has ruled out paying reparations directly, while Kemi Badenoch, the Tory leader, cautioned against issuing an apology at all. Follow for the LATEST UPDATES throughout the day...

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Support us Follow for the LATEST UPDATES throughout the day... Louise Haigh to deputise for Andy Burnham at PMQs First Secretary of State Louise Haigh will deputise for Andy Burnham at PMQs later today, as a result of the latter's trip to the Caribbean for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting. A key ally of Burnham, Haigh was a vital part of the campaign to get the Manchester mayor into Parliament and then unseat Sir Keir Starmer.

The ex-Transport Secretary ended up leaving government after she admitted an offence connected to misleading the police while a parliamentary candidate in 2014. Share Nigel Farage faces crunch by-election in seaside town as Reform UK promises to send 'undeniable shockwave' Reform UK has promised to send an "undeniable shockwave" ahead of Nigel Farage's latest by-election. This week, Reform will face seven other candidates in the Penn Hill by-election, a ward of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

The by-election was called following the resignation of Liberal Democrats councillor Jo Clements. The Lib Dems won when the ward last voted in May 2023, securing 42.7 per cent of the vote. READ THE FULL STORY HERE Share Load more updates Politics Nigel Farage faces crunch by-election in seaside town as Reform UK promises to send 'undeniable shockwave' Politics Plaid Cymru spent £25,000 on beekeeping classes for disabled Ugandans Politics Labour considers major shake-up of renewables scheme amid fears over rising energy costs Politics Nigel Farage issues stark warning to Andy Burnham amid plans for 'Brexit sell-out' Politics Tory MP demands compulsory halal meat labels as millions of Brits are 'eating it without knowing' Politics Brexit 'traumatised' EU, warns top diplomat ahead of 'difficult' crunch talks with Andy Burnham Politics Andy Burnham set to hand Caribbean nations £40m as Prime Minister pushed to apologise for slave trade Exclusive Politics Shabana Mahmood hits back at Andy Burnham in Brexit small boats blame game: ‘We hardly returned anyone!’

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What we found (2)

GB News's headline sets Ed Miliband's statement that a slavery apology will not cost taxpayers against Andy Burnham's £40 million pledge. The body describes that money as a package for green energy schemes, with reparations ruled out. The live blog also says Burnham 'admitted' considering an apology, a word that treats a stated position as a concession.

  1. Headline goes beyond the article

    Minor

    “despite Andy Burnham set to hand over £40MILLION”

    Why this matters
    The word 'despite' sets the £40 million against Ed Miliband's statement, and 'hand over' in capitals presents it as a payment for the apology.
    The impression it gives
    That the slavery apology comes with a £40 million bill, and that Miliband's claim of no cost to taxpayers is contradicted by Burnham's own actions.
    The context
    The body describes the money as a package for green energy schemes pledged at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. It says No10 has ruled out paying reparations directly. LBC reports the £40m as spending on Caribbean projects ahead of a possible apology, not as the price of one. Nothing in the article shows the £40 million is tied to the apology.

    How we know

    Show it in the article

  2. Uses a loaded word

    Minor

    “Mr Burnham admitted he was contemplating offering an apology”

    Why this matters
    GB News uses 'admitted' for the Prime Minister saying he is considering an apology.
    The impression it gives
    That considering an apology is something shameful that Burnham was forced to concede.
    The context
    Other outlets report this as a stated position. The Guardian says he 'stated he was open to listening' to calls for an apology, and the Express says he is 'said to be open' to more assistance. Nothing in the article shows anything being extracted from him.

    How we know

    Show it in the article

How other outlets reported it

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