Church of England's £100m Slavery Fund Under Fire 2026

The Church of England's £100m slavery compensation fund has become the center of a fierce battle, with critics launching a coordinated campaign to kill the initiative. The fund, officially known as the Fund for Healing, Repair and Justice, was established in 2023 to atone for the church's involvement in the transatlantic slave trade. But a coalition of conservative voices, lawyers, and media outlets are fighting to dismantle it.

The Campaign to Kill the Fund

At the forefront of the opposition is Lord Nigel Biggar, a retired professor, Conservative peer, and Anglican priest. Biggar has argued that the fund is mere "virtue signalling" by progressive elites. He has been joined by Katie Lam, a Conservative MP and immigration hardliner, who complains that the money could be better spent on crumbling parish churches in her constituency.

Since the fund's announcement, Biggar and his allies have published dozens of articles in major publications like The Spectator, The Daily Telegraph, The Daily Mail, and The Times. They've also taken to podcasts and social media to amplify their message.

Key Arguments Against the Fund

• Virtue signalling: Critics claim the fund is more about appearing progressive than addressing real issues.
• Misallocation of resources: They argue the money should be used for current church needs, such as repairing historic buildings.
• Revisionist history: Some opponents promote alternative narratives about colonialism and the British Empire, downplaying its harms.

The Church's Position and the Fund's Purpose

The Church Commissioners, who manage the church's endowment, established the fund to acknowledge and address the church's historical ties to slavery. The £100m is intended to support projects that promote healing, repair, and justice for communities affected by the slave trade.

Supporters argue that the fund is a necessary step toward racial reconciliation and that the church has a moral obligation to address its past. They point out that the church's involvement in slavery was significant, with some of its leaders owning slaves and profiting from the trade.

Comparison of Arguments

The Media Blitz and Lobbying Efforts

The opposition has been strategic, leveraging media outlets and legal expertise to challenge the fund. Lawyers have questioned the legality of using endowment funds for reparations, while lobbyists have pressured church leaders to reconsider.

This campaign mirrors broader culture wars over how Britain confronts its imperial past. The fund's opponents see it as part of a wider push to undermine traditional narratives, while supporters view it as a long-overdue reckoning.

What's Next for the Fund?

The Church of England has so far stood by the fund, but the intense pressure may force a review. The outcome will have implications for other institutions considering similar reparative measures.

As the debate rages, it's clear that the fight over the £100m slavery compensation fund is about more than money—it's about identity, history, and the role of the church in modern society.

FAQ