Lloyd’s of London slavery review fails to settle heated question of reparations

Inside the Lloyd’s of London building in Lime Street. Photograph: David Levene/The Guardian

Modern Britain’s slow, contested moves towards facing the crimes of its past have two connected parts: acknowledging the history, and acting to repair it – making reparations.

The insurance titan Lloyd’s of London, multibillion pound cornerstone of the City’s wealth, power and renown, has taken steps since 2020 to admit its immense historic involvement in slavery, and has published powerful research on the evidence in its archives.