Reparations and our hopes for the future | Letters

Sunit Bagree calls for a collective effort to eliminate the scourge of illicit finance, while Dr Pat Ryan says those who benefited directly from the proceeds of slavery should pay

Kojo Karam’s trenchant analysis (Reform’s petulance over slavery reparations shows it just doesn’t grasp Britain’s place in the modern world, 10 April) offers a hopeful vision for global development. Alongside its contribution to addressing historical injustices, the mission of “redesigning a world that is fair for all” can empower human beings globally now and in the future.

Research by Results UK shows that the countries worst affected by child undernutrition lose tens of billions of pounds in tax revenues each year through illicit financial flows. Meanwhile richer countries lose far more than even these eye-watering sums. All countries should work together, primarily through the UN, to eliminate the scourge of illicit finance. This requires building capacity and coordination worldwide to prevent wrongdoing, prosecute offenders, recover stolen assets and close tax havens.