{"text":[[{"start":7.364,"text":"Andy Burnham will set out his vision to help struggling Commonwealth nations reset their debt and a “new era” for the organisation, as leaders gather for the biennial summit of the bloc in Antigua."}],[{"start":18.455,"text":"The UK prime minister has signalled he is “open” to calls from some Commonwealth countries for a formal apology from Britain over its historical role in the transatlantic slave trade but has ruled out considering reparations."}],[{"start":30.595,"text":"A row over Britain’s stance on the issue has threatened to overshadow the Commonwealth heads of government meeting, which begins on Tuesday."}],[{"start":38.8,"text":"Burnham, who is joining King Charles III at the summit, announced at the weekend that he would offer a “structured dialogue with those affected by the transatlantic slave trade”, which could entail a British apology."}],[{"start":48.989,"text":"He will also seek to demonstrate the UK’s commitment to the bloc by unveiling plans to support countries within it grappling with higher debt costs. About 50 per cent of developing countries globally that are struggling with debt are in the Commonwealth, with rising interest rates worldwide poised to worsen the issue."}],[{"start":66.914,"text":"The push will involve liaising with global partners to restructure repayments, aiming to secure longer time periods and better rates. Former UK prime minister Gordon Brown has been invited to the summit to assist with the work."}],[{"start":79.323,"text":"Britain will in addition seek to play a leading role in modernising the organisation, sharpening its focus on trade, security and climate change, Burnham said."}],[{"start":89.84,"text":"“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.”"}],[{"start":99.8,"text":"He added: “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.”"}],[{"start":108.08,"text":"His intervention came amid criticism that interest in it is waning in some quarters, amid patchy attendance by leaders."}],[{"start":114.342,"text":"The Commonwealth, formed in 1949 and rooted in the British empire, is comprised of 56 member nations including India, Pakistan, Canada, South Africa, Nigeria and a host Caribbean nations."}],[{"start":126.384,"text":"Ben Judah, a visiting fellow at international affairs think-tank Chatham House and ex-adviser at the Foreign Office, called for an overhaul of the organisation."}],[{"start":135.6,"text":"“The Commonwealth’s current format — a sparsely attended leaders summit and a broken secretariat — is not only failing to deliver for Britain, but for the Caribbean,” he said on X, arguing that the debate over reparations eclipsed the rest of its work."}],[{"start":149.91,"text":"Burnham unveiled plans for two UK task forces which will look at bolstering the trade of critical minerals and breaking down economic barriers within the Commonwealth, to report back at the next summit in two years’ time."}],[{"start":160.8,"text":"The UK imported £94bn in goods from within the bloc last year, up 33 per cent on the previous 12 months, which Downing Street said demonstrated the Commonwealth’s growing role in British supply chains."}],[{"start":173.187,"text":"Number Ten also defended the decision to fly a government plane from London Stansted to Manchester to pick up Burnham and his wife en route to the summit in the Caribbean."}],[{"start":182.861,"text":"Pressed about the cost of the additional stop, the prime minister’s official spokesperson said his travel arrangements were made “on the basis of security, operational requirements, and value for money for the taxpayer”."}],[{"start":200.04,"text":""}]],"url":"https://audio.ftcn.net.cn/album/a_1793676728_7047.mp3"}