Sir Lenny Henry has urged the UK government to pay reparations to all Black British people for the nation’s role in the transatlantic slave trade. In his new book, The Big Payback, the comedian and actor argues that Britain owes £18 trillion in compensatory payments. “All Black British people… need reparations for slavery,” Henry writes, adding, “we personally deserve money for the effects of slavery.”

Reparations, which are designed to address historic injustices, can take various forms — from direct financial payments to symbolic gestures such as apologies or educational programmes. The call comes after 56 Commonwealth leaders, including UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, signed a joint statement last year acknowledging the need for “discussions on reparatory justice” for the “abhorrent” slave trade. However, Starmer stressed that no talks about financial compensation had taken place, reiterating that the UK was “very clear” in its position against paying reparations.

Former Foreign Secretary David Lammy previously argued that reparations should not be viewed simply as a “transfer of cash,” but as broader measures to repair the lasting damage of slavery and colonialism. In 2023, a UN judge estimated that Britain could be liable for over £18 trillion in reparations for its historic role in slavery. Advocates suggest that reparatory justice could extend beyond money to include official apologies, healthcare initiatives, or expanded education on slavery and its ongoing impact.

Britain’s connection to slavery stretches back centuries, but its major role began in the 16th century with the transatlantic slave trade, which saw millions of Africans forcibly transported to the Americas. Although slavery was eventually abolished, it happened in stages, with the landmark Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 granting full emancipation across the British Empire, aside from exceptions such as the East India Company.

Born in Dudley in 1958 to Jamaican parents who migrated to Britain, Sir Lenny Henry rose to prominence as a comedian and actor, later co-founding Comic Relief in 1985. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2015 for his contributions to drama and charity, and in 2021 he co-curated the Guardian special “Black British Culture Matters” with Marcus Ryder. Drawing on his mother’s experiences as part of the Windrush generation, Henry went on to create Three Little Birds, a six-part drama co-written with Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies, which premiered on ITV in 2023.