the uk's new prime minister promises to reset relations with the eu — as he welcomes dozens of european leaders to a major summit. it is happening here at blenheim palace, nearly 50 european leaders, talking about things like the war in ukraine and illegal migration. it's day four of the republican national convention — where donald trump will formally accept his party's nomination. iam in i am in milwaukee where the theme is make america great again and donald trump is set to take the stage to talk about the new golden age in america. joe biden pauses his election campaign — after catching covid — with reports more democrats are telling him to drop out. we'll speak live to a democratic state senator.

officials say at least ten people have died in the latest student protests in bangladesh — where the national tv station headquarters has been set on fire. and the skeleton of a stegasaurus fetches a record price at auction. hello, welcome to verified live. brexit has fractured relations between the uk and europe. but it's time to turn a page. that's according to britain's new prime minister keir starmer. the relationship is today under the spotlight at blenheim palace in the south of england — where european leaders are meeting. the war in ukraine and gaza is no doubt being discussed extensively — but also how leader cooperate on defence. another key topic will be tackling illegal migration.

let's go live to blenheim palace. lewis vaughanjones is there for us. no shortage of huge topics. absolutely right. interesting summit, and you raised the key issues that will be talked about, and a different way of talking about them this is not the summit we are used to when they ended a document everyone has to agree and sign off, this is something slightly different, a bit more informal and relaxed and there will not be hard policy detail at the end, and it is a chance for leaders and a lot of leaders, nearly 50 behind me right now, to talk more informally and tackle some of the big topics like the war in ukraine, and also how to tackle things like illegal migration. that is a big priority for the uk government and the keir starmer, the new prime minister,

just two weeks into his new government. a labour government. yvette cooper is the new home secretary. i asked what can be achieved in terms of tackling illegal migration. they did not have a serious commitment to the scale of operations that we need. tackling the criminal gangs, the border security— the criminal gangs, the border security arrangements were too weak and fragmented, and we have already in the _ and fragmented, and we have already in the last— and fragmented, and we have already in the last few days, we have substantially increased the cooperation with europol including engagement with the european task force _ engagement with the european task force and _ engagement with the european task force and the operational task force, — force and the operational task force, and it is the partnership you need _ force, and it is the partnership you need to— force, and it is the partnership you need to share intelligence and to -et need to share intelligence and to get those — need to share intelligence and to get those agreements in place go after the — get those agreements in place go after the gangs. get those agreements in place go after the gange— after the gangs. sharing of intelligence, _ after the gangs. sharing of intelligence, those - after the gangs. sharing of - intelligence, those partnerships would be easy inside the eu? we are outside the eu _ would be easy inside the eu? we are outside the eu and _ would be easy inside the eu? we are outside the eu and this _ would be easy inside the eu? we are outside the eu and this is _ would be easy inside the eu? we are outside the eu and this is about - would be easy inside the eu? we are outside the eu and this is about us . outside the eu and this is about us having _ outside the eu and this is about us having a _ outside the eu and this is about us having a new relationship from

outside. — having a new relationship from outside, setting the relationship... wouldn't _ outside, setting the relationship... wouldn't it— outside, setting the relationship... wouldn't it be easier inside? we�*re wouldn't it be easier inside? we're not auoin wouldn't it be easier inside? we're not going back _ wouldn't it be easier inside? we're not going back the _ wouldn't it be easier inside? we're not going back the eu, _ wouldn't it be easier inside? we're not going back the eu, that - wouldn't it be easier inside? we're not going back the eu, that is - not going back the eu, that is settled — not going back the eu, that is settled and we need the new partnership from outside the eu and a lot partnership from outside the eu and a tot of— partnership from outside the eu and a tot of the — partnership from outside the eu and a lot of the security things, we should — a lot of the security things, we should be _ a lot of the security things, we should be able to work together. a lot should be able to work together. a tot of— should be able to work together. a lot of corroboration was lost as part— lot of corroboration was lost as part of— lot of corroboration was lost as part of the _ lot of corroboration was lost as part of the agreement that the previous— part of the agreement that the previous conservative government set out and _ previous conservative government set out and that _ previous conservative government set out and that is why we want to strengthen that cooperation, of course — strengthen that cooperation, of course. , . . , strengthen that cooperation, of course. , . . , ., ., ., strengthen that cooperation, of course. , ., ., , course. research is a word that she used, course. research is a word that she used. that — course. research is a word that she used. that is _ course. research is a word that she used. that is a _ course. research is a word that she used, that is a keyword _ course. research is a word that she used, that is a keyword of - course. research is a word that she used, that is a keyword of the - course. research is a word that she used, that is a keyword of the day. | used, that is a keyword of the day. the uk government saying this is a chance for them to reset their relationship with europe and the eu and also why do european leaders. one of the big topics of conversation is the war in ukraine. president zelensky was here and spoke with an opening address just after the uk prime minister keir starmer. i also asked yvette cooper the home secretary about the war in

ukraine. what you've heard from the words that the prime minister used this morning, our strong commitment to supporting ukraine and also to working across europe in order to do so. so those european partnerships are important. those international partnerships are important to supporting ukraine, but also recognising that the way in which putin's russia is operating has security implications for all of us across europe. and that's why supporting ukraine is so important and is something that we will not flinch from. the uk prime minister is now speaking right now so we can take a quick listen. to speaking right now so we can take a quick listen-— quick listen. to another challenge facina quick listen. to another challenge facin: our quick listen. to another challenge facing our continent, _ quick listen. to another challenge facing our continent, the - quick listen. to another challenge facing our continent, the vile - quick listen. to another challenge | facing our continent, the vile trade of people — facing our continent, the vile trade of people smuggling. let's be frank, challenge _ of people smuggling. let's be frank, challenge is the wrong word, and it is how— challenge is the wrong word, and it is now a crisis. as we speak and as we gather— is now a crisis. as we speak and as we gather here, a criminal empire is

at work_ we gather here, a criminal empire is at work in_ we gather here, a criminal empire is at work in every country represented here today. — at work in every country represented here today, profiting from human misery _ here today, profiting from human misery and — here today, profiting from human misery and desperation. prepared to send infants and babies and pregnant mothers. _ send infants and babies and pregnant mothers, innocent people, to their deaths _ mothers, innocent people, to their deaths and — mothers, innocent people, to their deaths and last week four more souls and in _ deaths and last week four more souls and in fact— deaths and last week four more souls and in fact last night another one, were _ and in fact last night another one, were lost— and in fact last night another one, were lost irr— and in fact last night another one, were lost in the waters of the english — were lost in the waters of the english channel. a chilling reminder of the _ english channel. a chilling reminder of the human cost of this vile trade — of the human cost of this vile trade. this summit is an opportunity to set— trade. this summit is an opportunity to set a _ trade. this summit is an opportunity to set a new— trade. this summit is an opportunity to set a new path on illegal migration. to transform the way that we work— migration. to transform the way that we work together on border security and law— we work together on border security and law enforcement and to say together. — and law enforcement and to say together, no more. and in the uk, our new— together, no more. and in the uk, our new border security command will work in _ our new border security command will work in partnership with you and we must _ work in partnership with you and we must combine our resources and share ihtettigehce _ must combine our resources and share intelligence and tactics and shut down _ intelligence and tactics and shut down the — intelligence and tactics and shut down the smuggling routes and smash the gangs _ down the smuggling routes and smash the gangs. but before i came into

politics. _ the gangs. but before i came into politics. i— the gangs. but before i came into politics, i was the director of pubtic— politics, i was the director of public prosecutions in britain, a 'ob public prosecutions in britain, a job i_ public prosecutions in britain, a job i hetd — public prosecutions in britain, a job i held for five years and i saw and participated in the work that can be _ and participated in the work that can be done across borders on issues like counterterrorism, sophisticated gangs _ like counterterrorism, sophisticated gangs working across our borders, and we _ gangs working across our borders, and we used those same techniques to take those _ and we used those same techniques to take those gangs down to make sure of the _ take those gangs down to make sure of the citizens across europe. so i for one _ of the citizens across europe. so i for one simply do not accept and will never— for one simply do not accept and will never accept that we can't do the same — will never accept that we can't do the same with the smuggling gangs. that somehow they are the only gangs that can _ that somehow they are the only gangs that can operate across europe with impunity. _ that can operate across europe with impunity. i— that can operate across europe with impunity, ijust never will except impunity, i just never will except that. _ impunity, ijust never will except that, having been involved myself in taking _ that, having been involved myself in taking down terrorist gangs. so we must _ taking down terrorist gangs. so we must do _ taking down terrorist gangs. so we must do more together. we have temporarily lost the feed.

keir starmer echoing some of what we heard him say earlier, the focus on illegal migration, tackling the gangs, which is something we were becoming very familiar with him talking about in the election campaign. the reason it is such a big election campaign issue, in the uk, notjust because of the substance of the issue but the way that the previous government wanted to deal with it which was the rwanda plan, plan to send asylum seekers to rwanda, but they —— that never really got off the ground and now there is a new government, it has been scrapped. the conservatives argue that there is a bad thing because deterrent is now no longer there, what it means for keir starmer is the emphasis on other methods of trying to break up the criminal gangs across europe which is why a summit like this is so valuable for keir starmer in his

eyes and words because this is not just about talking to members of the eu but also about talking to those countries outside the eu but still in europe and that almost doubles the number, so talking to a variety of different leaders about how to try and cooperate and intelligence share and try and reduce illegal migration in the uk, and also the other countries that are affected across europe. that issue of migration is one big issue being talked about as well as ukraine. i want to pick through some of the diplomacy going on. joining me now is author and former british diplomat tom fletcher — who also served as foreign policy adviser to former prime ministers tony blair and david cameron. thanks forjoining us. thank you. thanks for “oining us. thank you. can i ask thanks forjoining us. thank you. can i ask you _ thanks forjoining us. thank you. can i ask you about _ thanks forjoining us. thank you. can i ask you about the - thanks forjoining us. thank you. can i ask you about the nature i thanks forjoining us. thank you. can i ask you about the nature ofj can i ask you about the nature of the summit because it is unusual and we are used to the big nato, g7 summits where we get the big

communiques but this isjust summits where we get the big communiques but this is just one day and it is more relaxed and more conversational, so put this into context, is it any use? it conversational, so put this into context, is it any use?- conversational, so put this into context, is it any use? it is, it is more useful— context, is it any use? it is, it is more useful than _ context, is it any use? it is, it is more useful than those - context, is it any use? it is, it is more useful than those formal. more useful than those formal summits — more useful than those formal summits i _ more useful than those formal summits i would say when you are basicatty— summits i would say when you are basically binding everything up with communiques and protocol and a lot of officiat— communiques and protocol and a lot of official involvement in draining out the _ of official involvement in draining out the difficult issues to make it easier— out the difficult issues to make it easier for— out the difficult issues to make it easier for leaders to agree on everything, but i think having seen these _ everything, but i think having seen these summits close up most of them want to— these summits close up most of them want to get— these summits close up most of them want to get into those arguments, and to— want to get into those arguments, and to have this opportunity in a glorious — and to have this opportunity in a glorious venue like blenheim palace so early— glorious venue like blenheim palace so early on — glorious venue like blenheim palace so early on in the prime minister's time _ so early on in the prime minister's time is _ so early on in the prime minister's time is a _ so early on in the prime minister's time is a superb gift to the incoming government and a chance for them to— incoming government and a chance for them to talk— incoming government and a chance for them to talk to europeans about resetting — them to talk to europeans about resetting the relationship but also talk to— resetting the relationship but also talk to the domestic public about why foreign policy matters so much to their— why foreign policy matters so much to their interests at home. that why foreign policy matters so much to their interests at home.- to their interests at home. that is fascinating- _

to their interests at home. that is fascinating. you _ to their interests at home. that is fascinating. you mentioned - to their interests at home. that is fascinating. you mentioned the i fascinating. you mentioned the stunning backdrop and indeed it is blenheim palace, it is even some claimant whether as well. —— suncream weather. the winston churchill connection has been hammered home by the uk representatives, but also volodymyr zelensky referenced churchill and there's no doubt the crucial role that he played, but the fact that people here are keen to reference it, does that show the scale of what is happening and what is needed when it comes to things like unity around the war in ukraine? that it comes to things like unity around the war in ukraine?— the war in ukraine? that is right. it is a the war in ukraine? that is right. it is a basic— the war in ukraine? that is right. it is a basic signal, _ the war in ukraine? that is right. it is a basic signal, churchill- the war in ukraine? that is right. it is a basic signal, churchill is i it is a basic signal, churchill is shorthand _ it is a basic signal, churchill is shorthand for resilience and standing up to the challenges you face. _ standing up to the challenges you face. but — standing up to the challenges you face, but also as everyone notices, it is about — face, but also as everyone notices, it is about working with your allies and listening to them and not assuming you can solve every problem on your— assuming you can solve every problem on your own. _ assuming you can solve every problem on your own. there is not a single chattehge — on your own. there is not a single chattehge to — on your own. there is not a single challenge to which the answer is 'ust challenge to which the answer is just to _ challenge to which the answer is just to build a big wall and to fence — just to build a big wall and to fence ourselves off from the rest of

the world. — fence ourselves off from the rest of the world. these issues, migration, energy— the world. these issues, migration, energy security, democratic resilience, in a time of democratic recession. — resilience, in a time of democratic recession. it— resilience, in a time of democratic recession, it all requires us to work— recession, it all requires us to work with— recession, it all requires us to work with our allies and partners so this is— work with our allies and partners so this is a _ work with our allies and partners so this is a great way to signal not 'ust this is a great way to signal not just do— this is a great way to signal not just do announcements through the tone and _ just do announcements through the tone and the body language and way in which _ tone and the body language and way in which these leaders are interacting, that they are willing to do— interacting, that they are willing to do that. ,., ,., . ,, interacting, that they are willing to do that. ,., . ,, ., ,., to do that. going back to your 0 ”enin to do that. going back to your opening thoughts, _ to do that. going back to your opening thoughts, we - to do that. going back to your opening thoughts, we saw- to do that. going back to your| opening thoughts, we saw the to do that. going back to your- opening thoughts, we saw the leaders piling out for the family photo, with nearly 50 of them, a remarkable number. politicalspeed with nearly 50 of them, a remarkable number. political speed dating is how the diplomatic correspondent james landale has been calling it, so how useful can those kind of short meetings be? take us behind the curtain because you have been in these situations and what actually goes on? what about the lasting

benefits? , . . ., ., benefits? hugely crucial and everyone — benefits? hugely crucial and everyone will _ benefits? hugely crucial and everyone will have - benefits? hugely crucial and | everyone will have somebody benefits? hugely crucial and i everyone will have somebody like benefits? hugely crucial and - everyone will have somebody like me try everyone will have somebody like me by their— everyone will have somebody like me by their side, we used to call these interactions— by their side, we used to call these interactions grip and grins, these are the _ interactions grip and grins, these are the crucial moments where you can have _ are the crucial moments where you can have as— are the crucial moments where you can have as many telephone calls as you want. _ can have as many telephone calls as you want. as — can have as many telephone calls as you want, as many formal meetings, but the _ you want, as many formal meetings, but the human connection, the last three _ but the human connection, the last three feet. — but the human connection, the last three feet, where two individuals come _ three feet, where two individuals come together and look each other in the eye _ come together and look each other in the eye and _ come together and look each other in the eye and work out what they are going _ the eye and work out what they are going to _ the eye and work out what they are going to do, that is where the magic is in a _ going to do, that is where the magic is in a conference like this. family photo _ is in a conference like this. family photo is _ is in a conference like this. family photo is always a nightmare by the way and _ photo is always a nightmare by the way and i_ photo is always a nightmare by the way and i remember in april 2009 putting _ way and i remember in april 2009 putting together the family photo at the 620 _ putting together the family photo at the 620 summit in london when gordon brown _ the 620 summit in london when gordon brown got _ the 620 summit in london when gordon brown got the world together, and we lost stephen harper the canadian prime _ lost stephen harper the canadian prime minister at the last moment, who had _ prime minister at the last moment, who had gone off for a strategic bathroom — who had gone off for a strategic bathroom break, so we had to send out hatt— bathroom break, so we had to send out half the — bathroom break, so we had to send out half the conference organisers to track— out half the conference organisers to track down the prime minister.

absolutely wonderful note to end on. thanks forjoining us. we will keep a close eye for any tactical bathroom breaks and we may also strive to bring you the substance as well of what happens and we are expecting to hear more from keir starmer and we will bring you that but for the moment, back to you in the studio. but for the moment, back to you in the studio-— it's day four of the republican national convention in milwaukee, and after days of lead up it's donald trump's night. the former president will formally accept his party's nomination and make a wide ranging speech which could last more than an hour. it will be mr trump's first speech since surviving an assassination attempt at the weekend. live now to milwaukee. sumi somaskanda is there for us. tell us more about what they are expecting from donald trump? this is

a hirhl expecting from donald trump? this is a highly anticipated _ expecting from donald trump? this is a highly anticipated speech, _ expecting from donald trump? this is a highly anticipated speech, the i a highly anticipated speech, the first time he has taken the stage to speak publicly since the attempt on his life in pennsylvania on saturday. we have a bit of a preview from the republican national committee who said he will talk about ushering in a new golden age for america and he will also talk about america standing at home and abroad, making sure american families experience prosperity and safety and creating a resurgence for cities and communities, and his daughter—in—law laura trott, the head of the republican national committee, —— laura trump. she said you will get a softer version of donald trump, and we know that he has changed his speech, he rewrote it entirely and that is in light of what happened on saturday. she said because it has changed him. we have seen him every evening which is pretty unusual, and often the candidate only comes in the last

night to accept the nomination but he has been in the box flanked by his family members and allies, watching the speeches, which he clearly has enjoyed. they have mostly been lauding him. this is his big moment and the theme is make america great again. teiiii big moment and the theme is make america great again.— america great again. tell me more about the vice _ america great again. tell me more about the vice president _ america great again. tell me more about the vice president choice, i america great again. tell me more i about the vice president choice, who spoke to the convention last night. in terms of what he said and how that was received. it in terms of what he said and how that was received.— in terms of what he said and how that was received. it was received very well. — that was received. it was received very well. jd _ that was received. it was received very well, jd vance _ that was received. it was received very well, jd vance was _ that was received. it was received very well, jd vance was named i that was received. it was received l very well, jd vance was named the vice presidential nominee by donald trump on monday, and delivered a speech where he talked about his personal story and the blue—collar upbringing with a mother who struggled with addiction and how he overcame that to achieve success and he contrasted that with what he calls the political elite class that he says joe calls the political elite class that he sastoe biden, the current president, has belonged to. he talks

about the brand of economic populism thatis about the brand of economic populism that is perhaps familiar to some, we have followed the further right wing of the party, about how trade deals have a hollowed out the middle of america, taking jobs away, and there is a need to produce and manufacture in the us, so very much on brand for the vice president and of course singing the praises of donald trump as well so maybe some themes we will see reflected again tonight.— see reflected again tonight. thanks for 'oinin: see reflected again tonight. thanks forjoining us- _ see reflected again tonight. thanks forjoining us. we _ see reflected again tonight. thanks forjoining us. we will _ see reflected again tonight. thanks forjoining us. we will be _ see reflected again tonight. thanks forjoining us. we will be back- see reflected again tonight. thanks forjoining us. we will be back with | forjoining us. we will be back with you through the course of the programme but thanks for now. coming up here on verified live. more questions over joe biden's future. we speak to a democratic state senatorfrom georgia. who was also the room mate ofjd vance. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news.

iamat i am at the covid inquiry in london where at lunchtime this afternoon we got the first report from the inquiry and it was looking into how prepared uk was for the pandemic which of course swept around the globe in 2020. baroness hallett who is the chair did not pull any punches, it is a damning report that says that the government failed its citizens in its covid planning, by planning basically for the wrong pandemic, and she also said that more people died and there was a bigger economic impact from covid because of the flaws in the planning. this is the first report from the covid inquiry which will continue until 2026 but it is a key report out today and our first report out today and our first report is from our health correspondent dominic hughes. shall be the truth... the whole truth... and nothing but the truth. nearly 70 witnesses

and six weeks of evidence. the first phase of the uk covid inquiry focused on how prepared the country was as covid hit. and the chair of the inquiry says it's crucial her report's findings are now acted on. unless the lessons are learned and fundamental change is implemented, the human and financial cost on sacrifice of the covid—i9 pandemic will have been in vain. the harrowing accounts of loss and grief given by the bereaved witnesses and others who suffered during the pandemic serve to remind us why there must be radical reform. the report has exposed just how poorly the uk was prepared for covid. it says that never again can a disease be allowed to lead to so many deaths and so much suffering. this report concludes that, in reality, the uk was ill—prepared for dealing with a catastrophic emergency, let alone the pandemic that actually struck.

in the years leading up to the pandemic, there was a lack of adequate leadership, coordination and oversight. and the inquiry concludes that the processes, planning and policy of the uk government, devolved administrations and civil services failed their citizens. for those who lost loved ones during the pandemic and who pushed hard for the inquiry to be established, this is an important moment. i'm feeling nervous, but excited because it's been a long journey — four years that we've been waiting for this. this report will be the proof of the pudding, as it were. how seriously are they taking issues that we believe are important? i am concerned whether or not the inquiry and lady hallett i will take the opportunity to speak truth to power and to make bold i recommendations that need to be made to ensure that we're prepared _ for the next pandemic. the hearing's covered all aspects of how the uk authorities had planned and prepared for a pandemic.

stockpiles of ppe, the impact of brexit, whether lessons were learned from how other countries handled similar viruses and the state of the health care system itself. we were at the bottom of the table on number of doctors, number of nurses, number of beds, number of icus. dr saleyha ahsan is a documentary maker and trained army medic. she filmed this while working during covid. but the pandemic also claimed the life of her dad in 2020. it's so, so important for those of us who worked through it, who lost through it or who have suffered ill health because of it to really appreciate where things went wrong. scientists warn that it's not a question of if, but when, the next pandemic strikes. that's why it's vital the findings of this first report from the covid inquiry are taken seriously.

it has been a difficult day for the families of those who lost loved ones during covid and some of those family members who are party groups that have been set up since the pandemic were allowed in at the inquiry to read through the report and afterwards some of them came out and afterwards some of them came out and gave a statement. this is a taste. . . and gave a statement. this is a taste. , , ., ,., and gave a statement. this is a taste. , , ., ., taste. this is one report and the first of many _ taste. this is one report and the first of many and _ taste. this is one report and the first of many and we _ taste. this is one report and the first of many and we hope i taste. this is one report and the first of many and we hope that l first of many and we hope that baroness hallett will take it a step further and does notjust say should happen, but to give them a timeframe, because the further into how the timeframe is monitored, because it cannot and we will not let it be another report that gathers dust because our loved ones are worth so much more and that is what we are here about that is what we are campaigning for. we have a long way to go yet. flan we are campaigning for. we have a long way to go yet-—

long way to go yet. can i also say, i'm long way to go yet. can i also say, i'm martina _ long way to go yet. can i also say, i'm martina ferguson, _ long way to go yet. can i also say, i'm martina ferguson, one - long way to go yet. can i also say, i'm martina ferguson, one of- long way to go yet. can i also say, i'm martina ferguson, one of the. i'm martina ferguson, one of the campaign — i'm martina ferguson, one of the campaign at leeds for the northern iretand _ campaign at leeds for the northern ireland covid bereaved families for justice _ ireland covid bereaved families for justice group, but we need a process in place _ justice group, but we need a process in place and — justice group, but we need a process in place and we think it is weak and we need _ in place and we think it is weak and we need a — in place and we think it is weak and we need a process where politicians report— we need a process where politicians report back— we need a process where politicians report back to the inquiry and we think— report back to the inquiry and we think that — report back to the inquiry and we think that is really important stop the family is talking about the politicians the family is talking about the --olitician . ~ , politicians and the prime minister issued a statement _ politicians and the prime minister issued a statement saying - politicians and the prime minister issued a statement saying that i politicians and the prime minister| issued a statement saying that he politicians and the prime minister. issued a statement saying that he is personally committed that the government will learn the lessons and he says the first responsibility of the government is to keep the public safe and he is personally committed to each and every family that lost loved ones and whose lives were changed for ever and that the government will learn the lessons from the inquiry, he said. our health correspondent sophie hutchinsonjoins me now. what went through your mind when you were reading the report? baroness

hallett has put into words what a lot of people have been thinking. the prime minister said that today, that what— the prime minister said that today, that what was in the report confirmed what many people felt they already— confirmed what many people felt they already knew, and it is strong language _ already knew, and it is strong language in anyone's but, that citizens— language in anyone's but, that citizens were failed and the uk was ill—prepared to deal with catastrophic events. ultimately saying — catastrophic events. ultimately saying that governments were not able to _ saying that governments were not able to keep us safe, the ultimate responsibility of any government, and the _ responsibility of any government, and the criticism is across the board — and the criticism is across the board of— and the criticism is across the board of governments right across the different nations, and the scientific— the different nations, and the scientific advisers that were giving evidence. — scientific advisers that were giving evidence, and the politicians that were _ evidence, and the politicians that were not— evidence, and the politicians that were not asking the right questions in order— were not asking the right questions in order to — were not asking the right questions in order to break out of narrow ways of thinking. — in order to break out of narrow ways of thinking. can we be surprised that it _ of thinking. can we be surprised that it was — of thinking. can we be surprised that it was this strong today? the lead counsel if anybody remembers at the start. _

lead counsel if anybody remembers at the start, hugo keith, he said before — the start, hugo keith, he said before the evidence was even examined, his words were, we might not have _ examined, his words were, we might not have been very well prepared. typicat— not have been very well prepared. typical understatement, you might think. _ typical understatement, you might think. and — typical understatement, you might think, and certainly what many people — think, and certainly what many people by thinking and during the evidence — people by thinking and during the evidence sessions we heard a great deal from _ evidence sessions we heard a great deal from people in charge, apologies, people acknowledging that it should _ apologies, people acknowledging that it should have been done differently. so yes, strong language today. _ differently. so yes, strong language toda. ., ,, ., ., ., today. baroness hallett did not name names and it — today. baroness hallett did not name names and it was _ today. baroness hallett did not name names and it was very _ today. baroness hallett did not name names and it was very broad - today. baroness hallett did not name names and it was very broad but i today. baroness hallett did not name names and it was very broad but she | names and it was very broad but she did look ahead because she said we have got to learn lessons and she has made ten recommendations. absolutely. she once those recommendations implemented very quickly— recommendations implemented very quickly and her main recommendation is realty— quickly and her main recommendation is really that different parts of government are not responsible any more _ government are not responsible any more for— government are not responsible any more for planning the pandemics and catastrophic events, and she wants a

thing _ catastrophic events, and she wants a thing which _ catastrophic events, and she wants a thing which a single independent body to— thing which a single independent body to prepare and respond to uk wide emergencies and she wants exercises — wide emergencies and she wants exercises every three years across the uk _ exercises every three years across the uk to— exercises every three years across the uk to see what might happen and how we _ the uk to see what might happen and how we might respond, those practice sessions _ how we might respond, those practice sessions to— how we might respond, those practice sessions to take place, and she said because _ sessions to take place, and she said because of— sessions to take place, and she said because of the criticism and overreliance on a particular way of thinking. — overreliance on a particular way of thinking, the so—called groupthink, she wants — thinking, the so—called groupthink, she wants broader opinions and people — she wants broader opinions and people brought in who might think differently to be taken into consideration and she thinks those communities where there are health inequalities or financial inequalities or financial inequalities to be taken into consideration and vulnerable communities as well. it is consideration and vulnerable communities as well.- consideration and vulnerable communities as well. it is a public inrui communities as well. it is a public inquiry and _ communities as well. it is a public inquiry and the — communities as well. it is a public inquiry and the recommendations| communities as well. it is a public. inquiry and the recommendations are not legally binding but what is the next step because there will be pressure on the government? the government _ pressure on the government? the government will respond in parliament tomorrow and it said it is considering carefully these

recommendations, and it doesn't have to -o recommendations, and it doesn't have to go along _ recommendations, and it doesn't have to go along with what baroness hattett — to go along with what baroness hallett has recommended, and the families— hallett has recommended, and the families have said they don't want dust to _ families have said they don't want dust to gather on the report and they want— dust to gather on the report and they want real action and the imiuiry— they want real action and the inquiry has said it will be watching how the _ inquiry has said it will be watching how the government responds and it will be _ how the government responds and it will be monitoring things and it wants— will be monitoring things and it wants prompt action in the next six months. _ wants prompt action in the next six months, and then more action in the next year. _ months, and then more action in the next ear. , ., ., next year. sophie, thanks for 'oinin: next year. sophie, thanks for joining us- — next year. sophie, thanks for joining us. this _ next year. sophie, thanks for joining us. this is _ next year. sophie, thanks for joining us. this isjust - next year. sophie, thanks for joining us. this isjust the i next year. sophie, thanks for| joining us. this isjust the first report and i know we have more to come from the covid inquiry. now we can get more reaction. joining me now is sir michael marmot, professor of epidemiology and public health at university college london thanks forjoining us. i wonder if i can get your initial reaction to what baroness hallett has had to say in her report. i’m what baroness hallett has had to say in her report-— in her report. i'm concerned about the inequalities _ in her report. i'm concerned about the inequalities in _

in her report. i'm concerned about the inequalities in particular i in her report. i'm concerned about the inequalities in particular and i the inequalities in particular and she highlighted the evidence from myself— she highlighted the evidence from myself and patrick vallance, the chief _ myself and patrick vallance, the chief scientific adviser, and when people _ chief scientific adviser, and when people say we were ill—prepared for a pandemic, we were ill—prepared for improving _ a pandemic, we were ill—prepared for improving the health of the population. what has happened in the uk from _ population. what has happened in the uk from 2010 is health has more or less stopped improving and inequalities got bigger so when the pandemic— inequalities got bigger so when the pandemic struck it was predictable that the _ pandemic struck it was predictable that the people who will be most affected — that the people who will be most affected are those at the biggest social— affected are those at the biggest social and economic disadvantage and social and economic disadvantage and so it proved. — social and economic disadvantage and so it proved. the increase in mortality— so it proved. the increase in mortality was much bigger in people the greater the deprivation, and bigger— the greater the deprivation, and bigger in— the greater the deprivation, and bigger in more different ethnic groups. — bigger in more different ethnic groups, so what the pandemic did, it exposed _ groups, so what the pandemic did, it exposed the underlying inequalities in society— exposed the underlying inequalities in society and amplified them. so we

were ill—prepared pre—pandemic to improve _ were ill—prepared pre—pandemic to improve the health of the population, because of erosion of the public— population, because of erosion of the public realm and because of a lack the public realm and because of a tack of— the public realm and because of a lack of investment in the public services — lack of investment in the public services that would improve health and reduce health inequalities. and she said _ and reduce health inequalities. and she said att— and reduce health inequalities. and she said all that. i and reduce health inequalities. and she said all that.— she said all that. i know during the heafinrs she said all that. i know during the hearings last _ she said all that. i know during the hearings last year, _ she said all that. i know during the hearings last year, there _ she said all that. i know during the hearings last year, there was i she said all that. i know during the hearings last year, there was a i hearings last year, there was a focus on the fact that we had the austerity measures before the pandemic and some said that meant the health service did not have the money to be able to deal with covid, do you think that is part of the problem that has come out in the report today? it problem that has come out in the report today?— report today? it was the health service and _ report today? it was the health service and other _ report today? it was the health service and other social- report today? it was the health l service and other social services, and we _ service and other social services, and we know the tragedy of adult social— and we know the tragedy of adult social care, that transferring peopte — social care, that transferring people from the nhs into woefully underfunded adult social care system

killed people with covid, so we had an underfunded nhs, and ifi killed people with covid, so we had an underfunded nhs, and if i can -ive an underfunded nhs, and if i can give you— an underfunded nhs, and if i can give you some figures very quickly, under— give you some figures very quickly, under the _ give you some figures very quickly, under the thatcherjohn major under the thatcher john major governments, under the thatcherjohn major governments, the nhs spend went up at around _ governments, the nhs spend went up at around 2% per year per person after— at around 2% per year per person after adjusting for age, and under the blair— after adjusting for age, and under the blair and brown government it went up— the blair and brown government it went up 5.8% per year per person, after— went up 5.8% per year per person, after adjusting for age in the population, and in the two terms from _ population, and in the two terms from 2010 — population, and in the two terms from 2010 onwards, it went down 0.7% and 0.3% _ from 2010 onwards, it went down 0.7% and 0.3% per— from 2010 onwards, it went down 0.7% and 0.3% peryear, and from 2010 onwards, it went down 0.7% and 0.3% per year, and this was historic— and 0.3% per year, and this was historic underfunding of the nhs, so the waiting lists for treatment had .one the waiting lists for treatment had gone up _ the waiting lists for treatment had gone up 1.9 times from 2009 until 2019. _ gone up 1.9 times from 2009 until 2019, before the pandemic, and the nhs was _ 2019, before the pandemic, and the nhs was under such extreme pressure

because _ nhs was under such extreme pressure because of—