and the eu's head of foreign affairs, josep borrell, in calling for the truce between israel and hamas to continue. international pressure really mounting. international pressure really mounting. let's go live now to tel aviv and join anna foster. what is going to happen today? what is the holder, what we know about how this could possibly things today? it how this could possibly things toda ? . , , ., today? it was interesting hearing ou today? it was interesting hearing you describe _ today? it was interesting hearing you describe those _ today? it was interesting hearing you describe those two _ today? it was interesting hearing you describe those two things . today? it was interesting hearing l you describe those two things that seem quite contradictory on the face of it, the idea there is still negotiation going on about release lists, but at the same time, they are talking about a possible extension to the truce. in terms of those lists, what has happened so far is the evening before the day of release, hamas have given a list to the israeli authorities with the names of hostages they will release the following day and at that point of the israeli authorities then pass that on to the families, they call them, they talent their loved ones names are on the list for the next day. —— they tell them. it looks like that has been delayed, because the prime minister's office has said negotiations about the list were ongoing and they reiterated not to spread rumour and misinformation, but we do know because of that statement that something is not quite on course the way it normally should be at this time of day. bear in mind, it is for pm here in israel and gaza and that is the time the swap is supposed to get under way. we will continue to watch that. we also have these ongoing discussions about the potential continuation of this ceasefire, because this is the fourth and final day of this post. there were provisions put in place to allow that to continue, there were more prisoner names on the palestinian prisoner list, more than the 150 included in this deal. there were 300 names published, so it gives scope to extend that side of things. israel has had for every further ten hostages released, they would commit to a further 24—hour pause in fighting, so there are ways and means for this to continue for longer. we know these negotiations are continuing and constantly, over time we are getting these new is, new pieces of information. first of all, let me give you what the israeli government spokesperson gave lui maxted in a press conference. he was asked about this and this is what he said. —— he was asked about this. the campaign to end hamas and bring our hostages home will resume immediately with the end of the hostage release pause. i'm not going to speculate, obviously, about the exact operational movements of our troops and the continuation of that strategy, but hamas is on notice that an option for an extension is open, we want to receive another additional 50 hostages beyond tonight on our way to bringing everyone home, and as soon as that framework expires, israelwill continue with full force towards those three objectives — eliminating hamas, making sure the gaza strip can never be a security threat to israel and releasing all the hostages. it is of course israel's military pressure that has bought hamas to bear to agree to release those hostages. we have had it begging for a breather because it has been clobbered over the last month and that pressure will continue until we get everyone home. now let's catch up with the rest of the day's developments, with this report from our middle east correspondent hugo bachega. celebrations in israel as more hostages return home. the latest group of captives released by hamas last night, 14 israelis and three foreign nationals. this is the moment the sisters, 15 and eight, were finally reunited with their mum. this woman was freed with her three children. for the family of this 84—year—old woman, the agony isn't over. she is now fighting for her life in hospital after being deprived of her medical treatment in captivity. this girl spent her fourth birthday as a hostage, she is israeli—american and president biden campaign for her release. hamas killed both her parents. celebrations in the occupied west bank, too — as part of the deal, israel released 39 palestinian prisoners from jails. women and teenagers. many children are detained by israel on charges of throwing stones. they had a hero's welcome. the green flag of hamas flying in the crowds. today is the final day of the temporary ceasefire truce between israel and hamas. president biden said his government would work to extend the deal. more is needed but this deal is delivering life—saving results. critically needed aid is going in and hostages are coming out. this deal is structured so it can be extended to keep building on these results. that's our goal. the israeli prime minister says he's open to an extension but that the war isn't over. translation: we have three goals for the war. | eliminating hamas, returning all our hostages and ensuring that gaza doesn't become a threat to the state of israel again. we will continue until the end, until victory, nothing will stop us. in gaza, the pause has allowed the delivery of much—needed aid. and brought the most sustained peace since the start of the war. translation: we hope the truce expands because we are tired - and can't take it any more. we are worn out, not functioning. 0ur mental state is also exhausted. our kids are in one place and we are in another. we don't know where to go. early indications suggest hamas could agree to an extension. amid the ruins of gaza, palestinians wait, hoping that the days stay quiet. let issues and live pictures of the rafah crossing at the moment. you can see those trucks of humanitarian aid, additional trucks that were a large part of this deal had been passing through in far greater numbers. we will also be watching the rafah crossing later today because that is the key point where the hostages are actually brought out of. slightly different yesterday because one of them was particularly ill so were taken straight into israel, but the rafah crossing as those two key elements we look for during this deal on the fourth and final day. see the humanitarian aid continue to move in there as planned. let's speak to professor tamar hermann from the israel democracy institute research center, who has been tracking the attitudes of israeli citizens to the conflict. thank you so much forjoining us. tell us first of all, is there a united israeli approach to what is happening here, particularly the way the israeli government is handling this? are using different attitudes among different groups? obviously there is not one _ among different groups? obviously there is not one public _ among different groups? obviously there is not one public opinion. - among different groups? obviously there is not one public opinion. we j there is not one public opinion. we have dues—word—mac and arabs, they have dues—word—mac and arabs, they have relatives in gaza, they see things differently. thejewish population is divided by its political privileges, although there is some concerns of certain issues. for example, no one ignores... let’s for example, no one ignores... let's take ou for example, no one ignores... let's take you live — for example, no one ignores... let's take you live to _ for example, no one ignores... let's take you live to central _ for example, no one ignores... let's take you live to central london and rejoin the covid inquiry, where we understand the mayor of greater manchester, andy burnham, is continuing to be quizzed and give evidence as part of those proceedings.— evidence as part of those ”roceedins. ., ., ., proceedings. you met a “unior minister mi proceedings. you met a “unior minister in the i proceedings. you met a junior minister in the department i proceedings. you met a junior| minister in the department for transport _ minister in the department for transport at that time in relation to funding — transport at that time in relation to funding as public transport. the second _ to funding as public transport. the second meeting was on the 12th of march, _ second meeting was on the 12th of march, one — second meeting was on the 12th of march, one of more relevance perhaps. _ march, one of more relevance perhaps, the first meeting with robert — perhaps, the first meeting with robertjenrick, then secretary perhaps, the first meeting with robert jenrick, then secretary of state _ robert jenrick, then secretary of state for— robert jenrick, then secretary of state for the ministry of housing, communities and local government. now the _ communities and local government. now the department of levelling up. in now the department of levelling up. in relation— now the department of levelling up. in relation to that meeting on the 12th in relation to that meeting on the izih of— in relation to that meeting on the 12th of march, can you assist us on that? _ 12th of march, can you assist us on that? ., ., , ., ., , 12th of march, can you assist us on that? ., .,, ., ., , ., that? that was to inform us about the commencement _ that? that was to inform us about the commencement of _ that? that was to inform us about the commencement of the - that? that was to inform us about the commencement of the delay l that? that was to inform us about - the commencement of the delay phase and in effect i think it was the introduced chimp of the shielding arrangements, but —— introduction of the shielding arrangements. there also enhancements of people not taking cruises and school holiday it was not getting to the enormity of what was happening a few days later, we talked about ppe, how we were getting on with local arrangements. it was quite a relaxed meeting if i remember. it was quite a relaxed meeting if i rmember-— remember. button opportunity to seak with remember. button opportunity to speak with the — remember. button opportunity to speak with the secretary - remember. button opportunity to speak with the secretary of - remember. button opportunity to | speak with the secretary of state, the liaison — speak with the secretary of state, the liaison department between centrat— the liaison department between central government and local government. central government and local government-— central government and local covernment. , ., , government. yes, and ifi remember, i think we government. yes, and ifi remember, i think we were _ government. yes, and ifi remember, i think we were beginning _ government. yes, and ifi remember, i think we were beginning to - government. yes, and ifi remember, i think we were beginning to say - government. yes, and ifi remember, i think we were beginning to say to i i think we were beginning to say to him, we are becoming more worried and it feels like it is changing. it was a good opportunity, and although the relations would get more difficult later in the year, at that point, the fact he was convening the mayor bloom to have that discussion was a good thing. —— mayors. the was a good thing. -- mayors. the 23rd of march, _ was a good thing. —— mayors. the 23rd of march, the date lockdown was formally— 23rd of march, the date lockdown was formally announced, you had a meeting — formally announced, you had a meeting at 6:30pm the secretary of state for— meeting at 6:30pm the secretary of state for transport, grant shapps, at that— state for transport, grant shapps, at that time, and that was with other— at that time, and that was with other metro mayors in relation to transport — other metro mayors in relation to transport as well. was there any indication— transport as well. was there any indication at that stage that lockdown was about to be announced? from nry— lockdown was about to be announced? from my memory of that period, it was not so much what was happening in those meetings but what was happening outside of them. from the meeting with robertjenrick up until the 23rd of march, i can remember things becoming increasingly brought, to the point where on the monday of the 23rd of march, i think i appeared on good morning britain and called for lockdown, a national lockdown. i remember debating with my team, it felt strange to say 20 government were not saying it's a bad time. —— when the government. it felt like the whole world was saying, we cannot carry on like this, and yet, from memory, i think grant shapps possibly alluded to an announcement coming later, you can probably guess what it is— type approach. we were not sat down and briefed on lockdown. bud approach. we were not sat down and briefed on lockdown.— briefed on lockdown. and two hours later, the prime _ briefed on lockdown. and two hours later, the prime minister— briefed on lockdown. and two hours later, the prime minister made - briefed on lockdown. and two hours later, the prime minister made the| later, the prime minister made the national— later, the prime minister made the national announcement on television. another— national announcement on television. another feature in terms of communication coordination, which is the focus _ communication coordination, which is the focus of— communication coordination, which is the focus of these questions, relates— the focus of these questions, relates to cobra and whether you are invited _ relates to cobra and whether you are invited to _ relates to cobra and whether you are invited to attend any cobra meetings. in the lead up to lockdown, where you invited to any cobra _ lockdown, where you invited to any cobra meetings? no. did you ask to cobra meetings? no did you ask to attend? cobra meetings? no. did you ask to attend? repeatedly. _ cobra meetings? no. did you ask to attend? repeatedly. how? _ cobra meetings? no. did you ask to attend? repeatedly. how? i- cobra meetings? no. did you ask to attend? repeatedly. how? i referredj attend? repeatedly. how? i referred to a thread i — attend? repeatedly. how? i referred to a thread i put _ attend? repeatedly. how? i referred to a thread i put out _ attend? repeatedly. how? i referred to a thread i put out on _ attend? repeatedly. how? i referred to a thread i put out on twitter- attend? repeatedly. how? i referred to a thread i put out on twitter in - to a thread i put out on twitter in the session before lunch. i am pretty sick sure i said there that the mayors should be invited to some if not all cobra meetings. the reason i said that is because i shared the meetings on swine flu. it was an open environment, notjust a small number of people meeting in secrecy and keeping it to themselves. using the facilities of cabinet office, we would often meet with ministers in the room but people were able to dial in around the country. 50 people were able to dial in around the country-— the country. so in your view there was a way — the country. so in your view there was a way in _ the country. so in your view there was a way in which _ the country. so in your view there was a way in which metro - the country. so in your view there was a way in which metro mayors| was a way in which metro mayors could _ was a way in which metro mayors could have — was a way in which metro mayors could have been participants in cobra, — could have been participants in cobra, which was practical? certainly. it should have happened. i have a memory of chairing a weekly meeting during swine flu where, in the cabinet office, in all of the technology, you could bring in voices from around the country and i remember a council leader here, an official in the welsh or scottish government would sit in those meetings. it was, i would say, the way it should have been done. in relation to that, we have heard evidence — relation to that, we have heard evidence of the utility of the cobra meetings, whether there was much benefit _ meetings, whether there was much benefit to— meetings, whether there was much benefit to them, but at that time, from _ benefit to them, but at that time, from your— benefit to them, but at that time, from your perspective, what benefits did you _ from your perspective, what benefits did you think they would have been as an _ did you think they would have been as an attendee?— as an attendee? structured environment _ as an attendee? structured environment where - as an attendee? structured environment where serious j as an attendee? structured - environment where serious issues could have been properly raised. for instance, one that myself and the mayor of the liverpool city region raised throughout the whole thing and never got the response, which was financial support for people on the lowest incomes in secure work and have been asked itself isolate, but had no access to sick pay. we repeatedly raise that issue. but also those excluded from public support, self—employed people, freelancers. we raise those issues but we had nowhere to go. we raised them in the media because we had no alternative. if cobra had been properly structured, we would have been able to put days issues on the agenda and have a response to them but we were never afforded that opportunity. but we were never afforded that opportunity-— but we were never afforded that ouortuni . ., ., . opportunity. you touched upon your collearue, opportunity. you touched upon your colleague, fellow _ opportunity. you touched upon your colleague, fellow mayor, _ opportunity. you touched upon your colleague, fellow mayor, the - opportunity. you touched upon your colleague, fellow mayor, the mayor of liverpool, and both of you in june _ of liverpool, and both of you in june 2020 _ of liverpool, and both of you in june 2020 made a number of public announcements seeking that you would have the _ announcements seeking that you would have the opportunity to attend cobra — have the opportunity to attend cobra. is this have the opportunity to attend cobra. is this a fair summary, you wished _ cobra. is this a fair summary, you wished to— cobra. is this a fair summary, you wished to have the voice of english regions _ wished to have the voice of english regions represented?— wished to have the voice of english regions represented? 10096. our worry was there was — regions represented? 10096. our worry was there was a _ regions represented? 10096. our worry was there was a london _ regions represented? 10096. our worry was there was a london centric - was there was a london centric approach to decision—making and we probably wanted to create a balance in people's thinking by saying, look, this is how it seems from here. and genuinely, it was in the spirit of national emergency. we were not there to use it as a platform for politics or anything like that. it was to say, we are worried, this is a challenging situation, we want to be heard and just taken as seriously as anywhere else. classic example would be the lifting of the first national lockdown. before we get to that, forgive me for interrupting, rewinding a couple of stages. you said ou rewinding a couple of stages. you said you had _ rewinding a couple of stages. you said you had asked to attend avenue mentioned _ said you had asked to attend avenue mentioned a — said you had asked to attend avenue mentioned a twitter— said you had asked to attend avenue mentioned a twitter feed. _ said you had asked to attend avenue mentioned a twitter feed. did - said you had asked to attend avenue mentioned a twitter feed. did you i mentioned a twitter feed. did you contact _ mentioned a twitter feed. did you contact number— mentioned a twitter feed. did you contact number ten _ mentioned a twitter feed. did you contact number ten and - mentioned a twitter feed. did you contact number ten and asked i mentioned a twitter feed. did you contact number ten and asked to| contact number ten and asked to attend? _ contact number ten and asked to attend? , ., , ._ , contact number ten and asked to attend? , ., , , . ., attend? yes. in many ways, chair, the request _ attend? yes. in many ways, chair, the request was _ attend? yes. in many ways, chair, the request was made. _ attend? yes. in many ways, chair, the request was made. did - attend? yes. in many ways, chair, the request was made. did i i attend? yes. in many ways, chair, the request was made. did i write | the request was made. did i write formally? i would have to check. i don't recall ever saying, please invite me to cobra. but the point was made in the conversations that have been described, we would often make this point that it would be better if we were invited, so we could discuss these things in a structured environment rather than in ad hoc meetings with ministers. second question, i have heard from others _ second question, i have heard from others that— second question, i have heard from others that cobra— second question, i have heard from others that cobra is _ second question, i have heard from others that cobra is effective i second question, i have heard from others that cobra is effective for l second question, i have heard from others that cobra is effective for a | others that cobra is effective for a short term — others that cobra is effective for a short term emergency _ others that cobra is effective for a short term emergency but - others that cobra is effective for a short term emergency but not i others that cobra is effective for a short term emergency but not for l others that cobra is effective for a short term emergency but not for a longer— short term emergency but not for a longer term — short term emergency but not for a longer term emergency, _ short term emergency but not for a longer term emergency, what- short term emergency but not for a l longer term emergency, what would you say— longer term emergency, what would you say to _ longer term emergency, what would you say to that? _ longer term emergency, what would you say to that?— longer term emergency, what would you say to that? there needs to be a central co-ordinating _ you say to that? there needs to be a central co-ordinating body _ you say to that? there needs to be a central co-ordinating body that i central co—ordinating body that brings together political decision—makers in any emergency, whether it is short or long, i would say to that, be it cobra or a cabinet committee. i did not attend one meeting of cobra right through the pandemic and people need to ask whether a city region of 2.8 million people should never have the opportunity to say, well, this is how it looks from here. the only uk government body i attended was the one, but one of nations chaired by michael gove, we had an issue in scotland with a travel ban. that was the only formal committee i was asked... ~ . ., the only formal committee i was asked... ~ the only formal committee i was asked... ., ., asked... we will come back to that. we will stick — asked... we will come back to that. we will stick to _ asked... we will come back to that. we will stick to a _ asked... we will come back to that. we will stick to a structured - we will stick to a structured approach. following on from your desire _ approach. following on from your desire to — approach. following on from your desire to have a structured approach. desire to have a structured approach-— desire to have a structured a. roach. ., ., .., . ~' ., approach. can i have come back to national lockdown? _ approach. can i have come back to national lockdown? yes. _ approach. can i have come back to national lockdown? yes. back- approach. can i have come back to national lockdown? yes. back to l national lockdown? yes. back to march 2020- _ national lockdown? yes. back to march 2020. yes, _ national lockdown? yes. back to march 2020. yes, this... - national lockdown? yes. back to march 2020. yes, this... you i national lockdown? yes. back to | march 2020. yes, this... you are national lockdown? yes. back to i march 2020. yes, this... you are now talkin: march 2020. yes, this... you are now talking about — march 2020. yes, this... you are now talking about leaving _ march 2020. yes, this. .. you are now talking about leaving national- talking about leaving national lockdown, which i will lead onto. let's _ lockdown, which i will lead onto. let's stick— lockdown, which i will lead onto. let's stick to communication and then— let's stick to communication and then we — let's stick to communication and then we will move to the next part in chronology. you describe, you used _ in chronology. you describe, you used the — in chronology. you describe, you used the word ad hoc in your statement and in your communications with central— statement and in your communications with central government. you also mentioned — with central government. you also mentioned there was reasonable official— mentioned there was reasonable official communications between officials, — official communications between officials, civil servants, so there was reasonable communication. there was reasonable communication. there was political— was reasonable communication. there was political communication, we touched — was political communication, we touched upon some of it, but that was sporadic. is that correct? yes. you mention _ was sporadic. is that correct? yes. you mention in _ was sporadic. is that correct? jazz you mention in paragraph 76, in your experience. — you mention in paragraph 76, in your experience, ministers actively encouraged informal communications on decisions and initiated them. you mentioned _ on decisions and initiated them. you mentioned several ministers, including _ mentioned several ministers, including health secretary matt hancock. was this a productive line of communication, whatsapp, text messages — of communication, whatsapp, text messages with ministers and secretaries of state? it messages with ministers and secretaries of state?- messages with ministers and secretaries of state? it could be, and i secretaries of state? it could be, and i often _ secretaries of state? it could be, and i often found _ secretaries of state? it could be, and i often found it _ secretaries of state? it could be, and i often found it helpful- secretaries of state? it could be, and i often found it helpful that l and i often found it helpful that they would reach out in that way. but wasn't accurate, because they needed to be a place where a mayor might raise something and everyone in the system heard it and i was in such facilities. so it was better than nothing, but it wasn't sufficient. in than nothing, but it wasn't sufficient.— than nothing, but it wasn't sufficient. , ., sufficient. in terms of the impact, we are talking _ sufficient. in terms of the impact, we are talking about _ sufficient. in terms of the impact, l we are talking about communication and coordination between local and central— and coordination between local and central government from your perspective, and you touch upon this in paragraph 23. you describe an approach — in paragraph 23. you describe an approach to the pandemic as overly top-down— approach to the pandemic as overly top—down and overly centralised, there _ top—down and overly centralised, there was— top—down and overly centralised, there was a lack of adequate consultation and poor communications. it frequently felt chaotic _ communications. it frequently felt chaotic is— communications. it frequently felt chaotic. is that the view you felt? very— chaotic. is that the view you felt? very much— chaotic. is that the view you felt? very much so. it was massively centralised. you had a mature system like greater manchester that was simply bypassed. and the kind of thing that sticks in my mind from the period we are talking about is genuine astonishment when word came through from officials who were in good contact with civil servants in the departments, saying local testing would be stood down. to me, that was... you know, i could not begin to get my head around why local testing teams in our ccgs would be stood down. in local testing teams in our ccgs would be stood down. in relation to ccgs, cynical— would be stood down. in relation to ccgs, cynical commissioning - would be stood down. in relation to. ccgs, cynical commissioning groups, this was— ccgs, cynical commissioning groups, this was the — ccgs, cynical commissioning groups, this was the 18th of march 2020, when _ this was the 18th of march 2020, when you — this was the 18th of march 2020, when you describe it as a key moment, _ when you describe it as a key moment, that local testing were stood _ moment, that local testing were stood down without consultation. then _ stood down without consultation. then you — stood down without consultation. then you expressed the concern that the new _ then you expressed the concern that the new location for testing, a centrai— the new location for testing, a central perspective, was going to be at manchester airport. in central perspective, was going to be at manchester airport.— at manchester airport. in that location, that _ at manchester airport. in that location, that was _ at manchester airport. in that location, that was chosen i at manchester airport. in that i location, that was chosen without any consultation with us. so, the airport might make sense if you are sitting in an office in downing street or the cabinet office or the airport, but no, everyone can't. there was a huge testing facility that opened that in the end people could not get to. if you live in 0ldham or rochdale, you cannot easily get to manchester airport, but that was not understood, but they didn't ask us. but fancy opening a testing centre in greater manchester without asking us. in the south of the — manchester without asking us. in the south of the city, _ manchester without asking us. in the south of the city, and _ manchester without asking us. in the south of the city, and everyone i manchester without asking us. in the south of the city, and everyone has to travel~ _ south of the city, and everyone has to travel~ i— south of the city, and everyone has to travel. i want to move on to the metro _ to travel. i want to move on to the metro mays — to travel. i want to move on to the metro mays group, and a meeting on the ist _ metro mays group, and a meeting on the ist of— metro mays group, and a meeting on the 1st of may 2020 which you and your fellow members of that group had with— your fellow members of that group had with the prime minister. there is a document which we have right in front of— is a document which we have right in front of us — is a document which we have right in front of us. we see paragraph two, 'ust front of us. we see paragraph two, just what— front of us. we see paragraph two, just what the metro mayors are, covers _ just what the metro mayors are, covers a — just what the metro mayors are, covers a different areas, represent over 40% — covers a different areas, represent over 40% of — covers a different areas, represent over 40% of the population of england — over 40% of the population of england and this is where you will be tested — england and this is where you will be tested as a former chief secretary of the treasury. gvhd and for? 45% of the overall england 6 va, £50 billion, _ 45% of the overall england 6 va, £50 billion, and _ 45% of the overall england 6 va, £50 billion, and they would help put robust — billion, and they would help put robust plans in place. we are still in those _ robust plans in place. we are still in those restrictions, we are looking _ in those restrictions, we are looking forward to a period where restrictions may be eased by one to move _ restrictions may be eased by one to move on. _ restrictions may be eased by one to move on, please, to paragraph five if i move on, please, to paragraph five if i may _ move on, please, to paragraph five if i may and — move on, please, to paragraph five if i may. and this document, prepared _ if i may. and this document, prepared by the metro mayors and divided _ prepared by the metro mayors and divided into prime ministers, and it says coming — divided into prime ministers, and it says coming we must work together to assure _ says coming we must work together to assure aligning to give confidence to our— assure aligning to give confidence to our regions, to co—ordinate our efforts, _ to our regions, to co—ordinate our efforts, we — to our regions, to co—ordinate our efforts, we would welcome discussions with governments, monthly— discussions with governments, monthly discussions. what was the response _ monthly discussions. what was the response in— monthly discussions. what was the response in relation to this request for more _ response in relation to this request for more regular communication? it for more regular communication? [i did for more regular communication? did not for more regular communication? it did not happen. i think we had one meeting, with the then chancellor, now prime minister, during the pi deck —— pandemic. 0ne meeting, possibly two of the prime minister, but this call did not meet with approval. the thing i willjust say, the group is a cross—party group of mayors. filtrate the group is a cross-party group of ma ors. ~ ., ., , ., mayors. we have heard this morning there were two _ mayors. we have heard this morning there were two conservative - mayors. we have heard this morning there were two conservative mayors| there were two conservative mayors and the _ there were two conservative mayors and the bulk were labour elected mayors — and the bulk were labour elected ma ors. ., , ., ., , mayors. there was more, there was one in cambridge _ mayors. there was more, there was one in cambridge and _ mayors. there was more, there was| one in cambridge and peterborough, the tees valley and the west midlands. the thing is, we take seriously our responsibility as mayors to work on a place first rather than party first basis. that is the strength that we can bring to uk governance, and we do and we are prepared. you can see this in what we said to the government. another document from... _ we said to the government. another document from... at _ we said to the government. another document from... at this _ we said to the government. another document from... at this moment l we said to the government. another| document from... at this moment in time, document from... at this moment in time. they — document from... at this moment in time. they were _ document from... at this moment in time, they were still _ document from... at this moment in time, they were still very _ time, they were still very much a spirit of, we are all in this to help, what can we do? work with us. at that changed through the years, because we were not listened to and thatis because we were not listened to and that is how 2020 proceeded. the goodwill the offers were here, work with us, use us...— with us, use us... pause there because _ with us, use us... pause there because we — with us, use us... pause there because we are _ with us, use us... pause there because we are going - with us, use us... pause there because we are going to i with us, use us... pause there because we are going to read | with us, use us... pause there l because we are going to read on with us, use us... pause there i because we are going to read on and then we _ because we are going to read on and then we will— because we are going to read on and then we will move on to the deterioration. paragraph nine, please, — deterioration. paragraph nine, please, on _ deterioration. paragraph nine, please, on page two. next steps, we would _ please, on page two. next steps, we would welcome a statement from government empowering mayors to lead recovery— government empowering mayors to lead recovery plans. a discussion with the chancellor on facility of resources, references to financial fundings — resources, references to financial fundings and align planning an agreed — fundings and align planning an agreed action. was the position on the first— agreed action. was the position on the first of— agreed action. was the position on the first of —— that was the position— the first of —— that was the position on the 1st of may, then on the 10th _ position on the 1st of may, then on the 10th of— position on the 1st of may, then on the 10th of may, there was an announcement regarding the easing of lockdowns, _ announcement regarding the easing of lockdowns, of lockdown, forgive me. the path _ lockdowns, of lockdown, forgive me. the path out — lockdowns, of lockdown, forgive me. the path out of restrictions. you describe — the path out of restrictions. you describe that as a really significant occasion in your experience from the perspective of mayor _ experience from the perspective of mayor of _ experience from the perspective of mayor of greater manchester. why was that? ,, ., ., , ., ., that? similar to the standing down of local testing, _ that? similar to the standing down of localtesting, i— that? similar to the standing down of local testing, i was _ that? similar to the standing down of local testing, i was astonished l of local testing, i was astonished when word filtered through, it was a wednesday morning, i think, to our covid emergency committee that there may be an announcement coming, about a stay—at—home is ending tonight or tomorrow and it is going to become stay alert. i was, what? tomorrow and it is going to become stay alert. iwas, what? how? here we had such high case rate, in greater manchester, i should say, and bearing mind, covid had spread from south to north, it had moved through the midlands and... said there was a _ through the midlands and... said there was a lag _ through the midlands and... said there was a lag between london's progress. — there was a lag between london's progress, and manchester was further behind? _ progress, and manchester was further behind? . . progress, and manchester was further behind? , , ., ., g; progress, and manchester was further behind? , , ., ., ,': ,, behind? experts would say a 2-3 week la. behind? experts would say a 2-3 week la: in how behind? experts would say a 2-3 week lag in how the — behind? experts would say a 2-3 week lag in how the peaks _ behind? experts would say a 2-3 week lag in how the peaks were _ lag in how the peaks were experienced, but we were still very much closer to our peak than the southern half of the country. that surrise, southern half of the country. that surprise, shock _ southern half of the country. that surprise, shock as _ southern half of the country. that surprise, shock as to _ southern half of the country. that surprise, shock as to the announcement, does it follow that there _ announcement, does it follow that there was— announcement, does it follow that there was not any consultation? there _ there was not any consultation? there was— there was not any consultation? there was zero consultation, this is the point about cobra, this is a new infrastructure we have built in this country. in a situation like this, it can had huge value to the national response to a pandemic. it was largely bypassed. ii national response to a pandemic. it was largely bypassed.— was largely bypassed. if you are consulted. _ was largely bypassed. if you are consulted, what _ was largely bypassed. if you are consulted, what would - was largely bypassed. if you are consulted, what would you i was largely bypassed. if you are consulted, what would you have was largely bypassed. if you are i consulted, what would you have said? do not _ consulted, what would you have said? do not lift _ consulted, what would you have said? do not lift it _ consulted, what would you have said? do not lift it because it is too early for greater manchester, because we had a higher case rate than other parts of the country. that is why i say in my evidence statement, there was a london centricity to the decision—making, they were looking more at the picture in london and they were more concerned with that than they were with the picture where we were, there was pressure to lift it from voices here, and i think the decision was more influenced by that than what we were saying. if we had been asked, we would have told them, they should not do it. i think because of that, greater manchester was left stuck with a high case rate throughout the rest of 2020. which we will touch _ throughout the rest of 2020. which we will touch upon _ throughout the rest of 2020. which we will touch upon in _ throughout the rest of 2020. which we will touch upon in a _ throughout the rest of 2020. which we will touch upon in a moment i throughout the rest of 2020. which we will touch upon in a moment and how that _ we will touch upon in a moment and how that caused real difficulties. last how that caused real difficulties. last point — how that caused real difficulties. last point regarding the message in may about— last point regarding the message in may about easing of lockdowns and return _ may about easing of lockdowns and return to _ may about easing of lockdowns and return to work, one aspect which emerged — return to work, one aspect which emerged. how was the return to work message _ emerged. how was the return to work message received by you and your fellow— message received by you and your fellow metro mayors group? of fellow metro mayors group? course, fellow metro mayors group? of course, everybody wanted to support the economy, but it was just more difficult for us. and i recall something from this period that needs to be remembered, which was, a lot of people never left work and in the less well off part of the country, people were not by and large sitting in the garden is doing whatever, they were in work. and there were burrows in greater manchester, a high percentage of people were working in warehouses or in manufacturing or other things. the worry we had, and it was one i shared with the mayor of liverpool city region, the workplace guidance was not strong enough. the regulation said people should keep a two metre distance possible. where possible. we were inundated with complaints from distribution centres, warehouses across the north west, both of us, people saying their workplace was not safe. if you had more notice, would that have helped? if we had been involved earlier, and we could see how the thinking was building towards regulations or new messages to the public, we would have at least been ready and told our own system how to get ready to implement it.