Burnham to press Commonwealth debt support and trade agenda

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is set to press Commonwealth leaders for broader support for countries facing high debt costs, while outlining British plans for trade, investment and discussions about slavery-era reparations at a summit in Antigua and Barbuda. The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting is scheduled to open Tuesday, November 3, with King Charles delivering the opening address. Burnham, who arrived in Antigua and Barbuda on Monday, is expected to argue that debt support should involve donors beyond the Group of Seven major economies and the private sector. Downing Street says rising global interest rates are adding to the pressure on indebted countries. Burnham is also expected to propose considering ways for poorer countries to repay debt over longer periods and at better interest rates. Downing Street has said around half of developing countries struggling with debt are Commonwealth members. That estimate is an official statement, rather than an independently established figure in the reports. The government says Britain will establish two taskforces by the end of 2026. One will examine critical minerals and vulnerabilities in supply chains; the other will...