The UK finished paying off its World War II loan to the United States (and Canada) on December 29, 2006.
Key Facts About the Loan:
- The UK repaid loans taken during and after WWII.
- The main loan was the Anglo-American Loan Agreement of $3.75 billion (about $57 billion today), provided by the US in 1946 to help Britain rebuild.
- Canada also loaned the UK C$1.65 billion at the same time.
- The loan was given at a low 2% interest rate, but post-war economic struggles made repayment difficult.
- Payments were due annually on December 31, but the UK deferred payments six times due to economic hardship.
Final Payment:
- The UK made its last payment of $83.25 million on December 29, 2006, officially clearing the debt.
This marked the end of Britain"s financial obligations for WWII-related borrowing.