�*chief impact officer' at a professional coaching firm in california. he'sjoining the firm betterup — and will be focussing on the issue of mental health. his new boss says he's pleased with his new signing. i had obviously never talked to royalty before in my life and i think the most impressive thing has just been his focus, singularly, on how can he be of service, how can he advance his vision. so i have a feeling he'll work out. we are partners here, he likes to be called harry in the workplace. so we just address him as harry. lots can be said on, as we call in the us, the modern performance review, we have a really open relationship and constant feedback and communication so i think we won't have any trouble there. time for a look at the weather. sarah keith—lucas is here. for some of us we have some springlike

sunshine. this is the picture at the moment in argyll and bute. for some areas some scattered showers and for the rest of the week that story continues to sell some spells of sunshine, some showers here and there but we will notice that things turn colder by the time we get to friday. before that a week by the fund sitting across the south east of the uk bringing more cloud to parts of south—east england. some spots of light rain but most places stained largely dry. also some heavy showers pushing into the western half of scotland and northern ireland as well. between those areas blue skies and temperatures around 13, 14 degrees. through this evening i3, 14 degrees. through this evening and tonight the area of cloud and patchy rain move south across england and wales. just some light showers left by the end of the night but if you have that cloud. temperatures falling to low. for the far south—east of england and

eastern scotland under clear skies that just could eastern scotland under clear skies thatjust could be some frost eastern scotland under clear skies that just could be some frost first thing tomorrow. so another day of sunshine and showers on thursday, the bulk of the showers in the north—west tomorrow so northern ireland, scotland, the north west of england. later in the day some scattered showers continuing down to the south—east as well. joy between these areas of showers and top temperatures around 13, 14 degrees. all changed thursday night into friday with an active cold fronts with the east which opens the doors colder air mass to return from the north—west. feeling quite windy as well sulphide initially a band of cloud and rain across england and wales shifting east followed by sunshine and showers. some of the showers quite wintry of the higher ground of northern ireland, the north pennines, highland scotland as well. a strong and gusty when combining with the heavy showers. so feeling very different on friday,

just seven, 11 degrees and feeling colder with the wind chill and those wintry showers around as well. but a brief cold spell as through the week things turn warmer once again this just some light rain at times. a few showers in the north and west by the time we get to sunday but temperatures in london and cardiff up temperatures in london and cardiff up to around 30 degrees. do not pack away your winter coat just yet as it is a colder day on friday. a reminder of our top story... the home secretary has defended new plans for how asylum seekers are treated after charities condemned them as "inhumane" and "unreal". the persistent failure to enforce our immigration laws is eroding public trust and disadvantaged and vulnerable people who need our help. that's all from the bbc news at one — so it's goodbye from me —— and on bbc one we nowjoin the bbc�*s news teams where you are.

good afternoon. it's just after 1:30pm and this is your latest sports news. manchester city's hopes of reaching the semi finals of the women's champions league have suffered a big setback. they lost the first leg of their quarter final against barcelona 3—0. asisat 0shoala putting barcelona ahead. and they doubled that lead shortly after half time. 0shoala brought down, mariona scoring the penalty. city missed a penalty of their own before barcelona rounded off the win. jenni hermoso with the finish. the second leg is next wednesday. wales begin their world cup qualifying campaign later they face the world's number one ranked side in belgium. captain gareth bale says reaching the tournament in qatar would mean he's achieved everything he wanted too in football. only the top team qualify automatically from the group, so it will be tough. wales have a good recent record against the belgians, but they haven't made it to a world cup since 1958 and bale says he is determined

to help change that. coming into my wales career, the main thing was to play it's massive for us. we want to try and take this opportunity to...yeah, to qualify for the world cup. obviously, we haven't done that for a long time and something that all us players dream of doing is playing in the world cup for wales. and, yeah, we'll give everything we can this campaign to do that. now, there may be a few sore heads in brora still after the town's football team caused one of the biggest shocks in scottish cup history. the part—timers, who haven't played a game sincejanuary, beat hearts 2—1 last night, causing these celebrations. hearts have reached the final for the past two seasons whilst brora had only trained five times in the lead up to the match. but they're into the third roud. it was a tremendous achievement last night not to just go out and beat heart of midlothian in the scottish cup but i think we did ourselves proud on the field as well. i don't think anybody would begrudge us our win

last night, so, yeah, you know, we certainly stepped up to the plate. now to a potential breakthrough in dealing with head trauma in sport. pitch—side saliva tests for concussion have moved a step closer, after a successful trial in rugby union players. it comes after rugby�*s governing bodies face a lawsuit from retired players suffering with early on—set dementia. the tests are currently being carried out in a lab.. and it'll be at least two years before the pitch side version is available. i have been working on concussion and concussion diagnostics for over two decades and there hasn't been a breakthrough like this, something that is quick and accurate and is measurable, almost from the point of injury. the fact is it is noninvasive and accurate at the same time. it is quite a breakthrough for this field of work. just a few days until the start of the new formula one season and a former champion returns, perhaps with a point to prove. fernando alonso believes he's better than many of the young drivers on the grid as he returns to the sport with alpeen this season.

although he does accept world champion lewis hamilton will take some stopping. he has been driving better than anyone else, and when you win so many championships it's because you deserve it, as well. so, yeah, lewis was so dominating in the sport for many years and is the best in the history, or one of the best in history with michael and ayrton. two of snooker�*s greatest names will renew a rivalry that stretches back to the 1980s. stephen hendry, who has has returned to the sport after retiring in 2012, will facejimmy white in qualifying for this year's world championship. hendry beat white in four crucible finals in the 1990s, and ended up with a record seven titles in the modern era. despite being a crowd favourite white has never won a world final, losing all six. he's currently ranked 83 in the world. hendry said that they've recently been practising togther but that will now stop.

that's all the sport for now. you can find more on all those stories, aswell the chelsea women champions league game with wolfsburg, on the bbc sport website. the european commission has announced plans to tighten controls on covid vaccine exports. the move comes amid a row with astrazeneca over vaccine supplies. brussels has accused it of breaching its contract with the eu by delivering tens of millions fewer doses than promised. the trade commissioner valdis dombrovskis said europe had taken every step to act "fairly and responsibly" since

the start of the pandemic. he said today's move was needed to help protect eu citizens we have today adapted to adjust the existing mechanisms. these are necessary to achieve our objective of ensuring family access of covid—i9 vaccines for eu citizens. going forward, member states and commissions should now consider two additional elements when assessing the impact of plant exports. first, reciprocity — is the country a destination which has a large production capacity, restricts its own exports of vaccines or substances? is it by law or other means? it may be appropriate to consider whether exports of this country are justified. the second element is proportionality, which means finding the right balance. member states in the commission will consider the conditions prevailing in the country of destination, in particular the epidemiological

situation, its vaccination rate and the existing availability of covid—i9 vaccines. today's move comes as european nations face rising levels of coronavirus infections. the eu's health commissioner gave this update on the situation in member states. revision of the export transparency mechanism really does come at a time with the situation remaining alarming in many member states. we are starting to see more concerning circumstances. this is evidenced by the fact that 19 countries are now reporting increasing case numbers, 15 member states are reporting increased hospital and icu admissions while eight member states are now reporting increased numbers of deaths. the r number is still broadly around one or slightly above, indicating, for the moment, a fairly stable rate of transmission, but, of course, the situation is concerning because we have seen

an increase in the number of variants over the last few weeks. 14 people have been arrested following another night of protests in bristol. the crowds had gathered to demonstrate against the government's new policing bill. on sunday night more than 20 police officers were injured during demonstrations which turn violent. andrew plant has more. for the second time in three days, riot police in the centre of bristol, moving in to disperse protesters who had gathered near the centre of the city. it was a peaceful protest, but scuffles broke out as officers moved in. avon and somerset police said current lockdown rules meant they had to disperse the group. kill the bill! it's now after midnight here, and we've been in this situation here in bristol for more than an hour and a half now. you can see maybe up to 100 protesters sitting and standing there, and this line of riot police haven't moved for quite a long time. and the reason they're standing here is it prevents

the protesters going back from here to where they started in the city centre. it comes after these violent scenes on sunday, 21 officers were injured when demonstrators gathered for the kill the bill protest against the proposed new police and crime bill. mounted police officer hannah clarke was working on sunday night with her horse mendip. certainly sunday was on another level from our point of view, i've not seen levels of violence that bad in my career. and i think probably people that have been working in the job for a lot longer than me would agree with that. certainly en route you could hear what was going on. you could hear the noise on the radio and the emergency buttons going off and colleagues asking for help. so it was quite distressing listening as you're on your way. you just wanted to get there to kind of help, really. the aggression towards the police was astonishing, really. a lot of the windows had been damaged. there were vehicles on fire. there were hundreds of people on top of the ncp car parks, throwing items varying from street furniture, glass bottles.

i think even a microwave got thrown down at one point. so it was certainly aggressive. how the police handle protests has been in the headlines since criticism of the metropolitan police's handling of a vigil for sarah everard. with protests legally allowed once again in england from monday, ministers will be thinking hard about how protests can be policed during a global pandemic. andrew plant, bbc news in bristol. israel's prime minister benjamin netanyahu is looking likely to struggle to form a new coalition, after the nation's fourth general election in two years. with 90% of the votes counted, he has won the largest number of seats, but will now need to search for partners in a new coalition. earlier he claimed the vote as a "huge win" for the right—wing and for his party, likud. translation: pay attention to the differences. _ we have over 30. the next party below us has less than 20 votes.

they don't like to say that in the media but this is the biggest margin between the two leading parties in tens of years going back. we are going out to world war iii, the war against corona. israel is the champion of the world in vaccinations. israel is a model for the whole world, it is a great success. 0ur correspondent in jerusalem yolande knell says the task of forming a coalition government has been complicated by the unexpectedly strong showing of an israeli arab party. certainly a struggle to try to build a new stable government, which is what he said that he wants for israel. with different coalition

partners. things have happened in the last few hours as results have been coming in. there has been political drama as small israeli arab party passed the threshold for entering the parliament. we saw dancing at its headquarters. very unusually, its leader has actually expressed support for benjamin netanyahu during this election campaign, splitting off from other israeli arab parties. that makes him into a potential kingmaker, as they try to form a new coalition. also, we know already that one of his long—time political rivals, somebody who is are you logically close to him, the former defence minister, he will also have to win him round if he wants to have a chance of forming a narrow majority in the 120 seat in israeli parliament, but things still remain extremely close and we won't get the final results until the end of the week.

let's cross live to the house of commons where the local government secretary, robertjenrick, is making a statement about whether to send in officials to take over liverpool city council. 0n the 17th of december, i informed the house _ 0n the 17th of december, i informed the house that additionally, persuasive evidence had been presented to me regarding the council's — presented to me regarding the council's planning, highways, regeneration, property management functions— regeneration, property management functions and associated audit and governance arrangements. in light of that evidence, i commissioned a best value _ that evidence, i commissioned a best value inspection of the council. i want _ value inspection of the council. i want to— value inspection of the council. i want to thank max and his assistant inspectors— want to thank max and his assistant inspectors for the thorough and evidence—based review. i have today placed _ evidence—based review. i have today placed a _ evidence—based review. i have today placed a copy of their report in the library— placed a copy of their report in the library of— placed a copy of their report in the library of the house. it paints a deeply— library of the house. it paints a deeply concerning picture of

mismanagement, the breakdown of scrutiny— mismanagement, the breakdown of scrutiny and accountability, a dysfunctional culture, putting the spending of public funds at risk and undermining the city's economic development. the report identifies multiple _ development. the report identifies multiple apparent failures by liverpool city council in complying with its _ liverpool city council in complying with its best value duty. this includes _ with its best value duty. this includes a _ with its best value duty. this includes a failure of proper and due process— includes a failure of proper and due process across planning and regeneration, including worrying lack of— regeneration, including worrying lack of record keeping. indeed, documentation and had sometime been created _ documentation and had sometime been created retrospectively, discarded in skips _ created retrospectively, discarded irr skips or— created retrospectively, discarded in skips or even destroyed. a lack of scrutiny— in skips or even destroyed. a lack of scrutiny and oversight across highways — of scrutiny and oversight across highways including dysfunctional management, practices, no coherent bigness— management, practices, no coherent bigness plan and the rewarding of —— business _ bigness plan and the rewarding of —— business plan at the rewarding of dubious— business plan at the rewarding of dubious contracts. a continued

failure — dubious contracts. a continued failure to— dubious contracts. a continued failure to correctly value land and assets, _ failure to correctly value land and assets, meaning taxpayers frequently lost out _ assets, meaning taxpayers frequently lost out. when selling land, the report _ lost out. when selling land, the report states that liverpool city council's — report states that liverpool city council's best interests were not on the agenda — council's best interests were not on the agenda. poor governance arrangements for council operated companies and overall environment of intimidation _ companies and overall environment of intimidation described as one in which _ intimidation described as one in which the — intimidation described as one in which the only way to survive was to do what _ which the only way to survive was to do what was — which the only way to survive was to do what was requested without asking too many— do what was requested without asking too many questions or applying normal— too many questions or applying normal professional standards. the review _ normal professional standards. the review finds that there was a fundamental failure by members to understand and appreciate the basic standards— understand and appreciate the basic standards governing those in public service _ standards governing those in public service and with no regular ethics or standards committee and no means of monitoring complaints effectively, there was no established way to hold those falling — established way to hold those falling below those acceptable standards to account. as a whole,

the report — standards to account. as a whole, the report is— standards to account. as a whole, the report is unequivocal, that liverpool— the report is unequivocal, that liverpool city council has failed in numerous — liverpool city council has failed in numerous respects to comply with its best value _ numerous respects to comply with its best value duty. it concludes that the council— best value duty. it concludes that the council consistently failed to meet _ the council consistently failed to meet its — the council consistently failed to meet its statutory and managerial responsibilities and that the pervasive culture appeared to be rule avoidance. it further concludes that changes need to be radical, delivered — that changes need to be radical, delivered at pace and there was no confidence — delivered at pace and there was no confidence that the council itself would _ confidence that the council itself would be — confidence that the council itself would be able to implement these to any sensible timescale. they may also be _ any sensible timescale. they may also be further issues of which we are not— also be further issues of which we are not yet— also be further issues of which we are not yet aware and the report is careful— are not yet aware and the report is careful not — are not yet aware and the report is careful not to speak to matters that might _ careful not to speak to matters that might compromise the ongoing police investigation. i want to underline the report— investigation. i want to underline the report is not a verdict on all the report is not a verdict on all the staff— the report is not a verdict on all the staff working at liverpool city council _ the staff working at liverpool city council in — the staff working at liverpool city council. in fact, the report commends the hard work and dedication of many. the report is

also clear— dedication of many. the report is also clear that the current chief executive, _ also clear that the current chief executive, tony reeves, and statutory— executive, tony reeves, and statutory offices, have taken positive _ statutory offices, have taken positive remedial steps and i wish to thank— positive remedial steps and i wish to thank tony for his dedication and service _ to thank tony for his dedication and service. neither does it comment on the liverpool city region combined authority. — the liverpool city region combined authority, or other councils in merseyside. despite the good work undertaken by mr reeves, there is a clear picture — undertaken by mr reeves, there is a clear picture that there has been a serious _ clear picture that there has been a serious breakdown of governance at the council — serious breakdown of governance at the council. if unchecked, it will allow _ the council. if unchecked, it will allow improper conduct to persist, further— allow improper conduct to persist, further undermining public confidence, putting public services at risk— confidence, putting public services at risk and — confidence, putting public services at risk and damaging the city's ability— at risk and damaging the city's ability to— at risk and damaging the city's ability to attract investment from reputable developers and investors for regeneration and to take full advantage of new economic opportunities such as the recent

successful application for freeport state _ successful application for freeport state this — successful application for freeport state this. —— status. i successful application for freeport state this. —— status. lam satisfied _ state this. —— status. lam satisfied that the council is failing _ satisfied that the council is failing to comply with its best value — failing to comply with its best value dave dee, therefore i need to consider— value dave dee, therefore i need to consider exercising my powers of intervention to secure compliance with the _ intervention to secure compliance with the duty. to that end, in line with the duty. to that end, in line with the _ with the duty. to that end, in line with the procedures laid down in the local government act, 1999, i am writing _ local government act, 1999, i am writing today to the council asking them _ writing today to the council asking them to _ writing today to the council asking them to make representations. both on the _ them to make representations. both on the inspector's report and on a proposed — on the inspector's report and on a proposed intervention package. this package _ proposed intervention package. this package is— proposed intervention package. this package is centred on putting in place _ package is centred on putting in place commissioners who i will appoint— place commissioners who i will appoint to exercise a certain and limited _ appoint to exercise a certain and limited functions of the council as required _ limited functions of the council as required for a limited functions of the council as required fora minimum limited functions of the council as required for a minimum of three years _ required fora minimum of three years i— required for a minimum of three years i am _ required for a minimum of three years. i am also proposing that the council— years. i am also proposing that the council will, — years. i am also proposing that the councilwill, underthe years. i am also proposing that the council will, under the oversight of the commissioners, prepare and implement an improvement plan. this

would _ implement an improvement plan. this would require the following provisions. within six months, to approve — provisions. within six months, to approve a — provisions. within six months, to approve a suitable office structure, providing _ approve a suitable office structure, providing sufficient resources to deliver— providing sufficient resources to deliver the council's functions in an effective way, including the improvement plan and its monitoring and reporting. within 12 months, to review— and reporting. within 12 months, to review and — and reporting. within 12 months, to review and change the council's constitution. within 24 months, to conduct _ constitution. within 24 months, to conduct a — constitution. within 24 months, to conduct a review of the roles and case _ conduct a review of the roles and case for— conduct a review of the roles and case for continuing with each subsidiary company of liverpool city council _ subsidiary company of liverpool city council to — subsidiary company of liverpool city council. to create a detailed structure _ council. to create a detailed structure and strategy for the highways function. to establish a plan to— highways function. to establish a plan to deliver an effective file management system. to implement a programme _ management system. to implement a programme of cultural change so both members _ programme of cultural change so both members and officers understand their roles — members and officers understand their roles and the council's activities _ their roles and the council's activities are regulated, governed and breaches are rectified swiftly. to reguire —

and breaches are rectified swiftly. to require the commission is before either— to require the commission is before either member or officer level agree heads _ either member or officer level agree heads of— either member or officer level agree heads of terms for any property transaction and subsequent consent before _ transaction and subsequent consent before any— transaction and subsequent consent before any legally binding commitment is entered into. i also propose _ commitment is entered into. i also propose to— commitment is entered into. i also propose to direct the prior agreement of commissioners must be attained _ agreement of commissioners must be attained to— agreement of commissioners must be attained to any dismissal or suspension of statutory offices or the assistant director of governance audit and _ the assistant director of governance audit and assurance or equivalent. furthermore, any appointments to positions _ furthermore, any appointments to positions designated to the statutory officer or the head of internal — statutory officer or the head of internal audit must be conducted under— internal audit must be conducted under the — internal audit must be conducted under the direction of and to the satisfaction of the commissioners. i hope _ satisfaction of the commissioners. i hope and _ satisfaction of the commissioners. i hope and expect liverpool city council — hope and expect liverpool city council to _ hope and expect liverpool city council to take the lead in this path _ council to take the lead in this path to— council to take the lead in this path to improvement. however, given the gravity— path to improvement. however, given the gravity of the inspection findings, i must considerwhat the gravity of the inspection findings, i must consider what would happen— findings, i must consider what would happen if— findings, i must consider what would happen if the council fails to deliver— happen if the council fails to deliver the necessary changes at the necessary— deliver the necessary changes at the necessary speed. i am consequently

proposing _ necessary speed. i am consequently proposing to directly transfer of all executive functions associated with regeneration, highways and property— with regeneration, highways and property management at the authority to the _ property management at the authority to the commissioners. these are for use should _ to the commissioners. these are for use should the council not satisfy the commissioners in their improvement processes. i hope it won't _ improvement processes. i hope it won't be — improvement processes. i hope it won't be necessary for the commission is to use these powers but they— commission is to use these powers but they must in my view be empowered to do so to deliver the reforms _ empowered to do so to deliver the reforms that are required. the commissioners will report to me at six monthly— commissioners will report to me at six monthly intervals on progress being _ six monthly intervals on progress being made. mr deputy speaker, the report— being made. mr deputy speaker, the report also— being made. mr deputy speaker, the report also considers the impact of the council— report also considers the impact of the council is a cycle of elections, where _ the council is a cycle of elections, where every— the council is a cycle of elections, where every year is an election year, _ where every year is an election year, concluding this system reduces scrutiny— year, concluding this system reduces scrutiny and — year, concluding this system reduces scrutiny and inhibits long—term focus — scrutiny and inhibits long—term focus it— scrutiny and inhibits long—term focus. it recommends that the council— focus. it recommends that the council should move to all—out elections — council should move to all—out elections and for the council size to be _ elections and for the council size

to be reconsidered. accordingly, i am also _ to be reconsidered. accordingly, i am also proposing to use my powers under— am also proposing to use my powers under the _ am also proposing to use my powers under the local government act 2000 to provide _ under the local government act 2000 to provide for liverpool city council _ to provide for liverpool city council to hold whole council elections _ council to hold whole council elections for the first time from 2025 _ elections for the first time from 2025 this _ elections for the first time from 2023. this will be in addition to proposals — 2023. this will be in addition to proposals for a reduced number of councillors — proposals for a reduced number of councillors elected on a single member— councillors elected on a single member wards which the report also recommends. i believe it would be preferable — recommends. i believe it would be preferable to move to a single member— preferable to move to a single member wards system at the earliest available _ member wards system at the earliest available opportunity. i am now seeking — available opportunity. i am now seeking representations from the council— seeking representations from the council on — seeking representations from the council on the report and the decisions _ council on the report and the decisions i am proposing to take by the 24th— decisions i am proposing to take by the 24th of— decisions i am proposing to take by the 24th of may. the forthcoming elections — the 24th of may. the forthcoming elections will proceed as planned and livable city mayor will be elected — and livable city mayor will be elected on the 6th of may and the cabinet _ elected on the 6th of may and the cabinet will then have time to provide — cabinet will then have time to provide their views. if i decide to intervene — provide their views. if i decide to intervene along the lines i have set out today, — intervene along the lines i have set out today, i— intervene along the lines i have set out today, i will then make the necessary _ out today, i will then make the

necessary statutory directions under the i999— necessary statutory directions under the 1999 act and appoint the commissioners and i will update the house _ commissioners and i will update the house on _ commissioners and i will update the house on any conclusions in due course — house on any conclusions in due course mr— house on any conclusions in due course. mr deputy speaker, this is a rare occasion — course. mr deputy speaker, this is a rare occasion when central intervention is required. in addition _ intervention is required. in addition to the measures i propose todav, _ addition to the measures i propose today, the — addition to the measures i propose today, the government will work closely _ today, the government will work closely with the political, the business and the cultural leadership of the _ business and the cultural leadership of the city— business and the cultural leadership of the city and with the wider region. — of the city and with the wider region, including with steve rotheram. we will do all we can to support— rotheram. we will do all we can to support the city as a recovers from the covid—19 pandemic. and to give confidence — the covid—19 pandemic. and to give confidence to those who want to invest _ confidence to those who want to invest in — confidence to those who want to invest in the city to contract with the council— invest in the city to contract with the council and do business in liverpool _ the council and do business in liverpool. as the sun on grants and on liverpudlians, i know livable, and i_ on liverpudlians, i know livable, and i appreciate the sense of humour, _ and i appreciate the sense of humour, the loyalty and the warmth of its _ humour, the loyalty and the warmth of its residents. i also understand the city's — of its residents. i also understand the city's independent spirit, and i'm the city's independent spirit, and i'm clear— the city's independent spirit, and i'm clear that we are embarking on a

partnership. — i'm clear that we are embarking on a partnership, to mend a politics that has for— partnership, to mend a politics that has for too — partnership, to mend a politics that has for too long been rooted in a pervasive — has for too long been rooted in a pervasive and rotten culture. i am hopeful _ pervasive and rotten culture. i am hopeful that this is the start of a new chapter for liverpool city council — new chapter for liverpool city council because in all of this, it is the _ council because in all of this, it is the residents of liverpool who are being — is the residents of liverpool who are being let down, whose regeneration is being undermined, whose _ regeneration is being undermined, whose tax— regeneration is being undermined, whose tax payers money is being wasted _ whose tax payers money is being wasted and who is besmirched rather than cited _ wasted and who is besmirched rather than cited with municipal pride. mr deputv_ than cited with municipal pride. mr deputy speaker, despite the rare cases— deputy speaker, despite the rare cases like — deputy speaker, despite the rare cases like liverpool city council, as a whole. _ cases like liverpool city council, as a whole, councils in this country have _ as a whole, councils in this country have a _ as a whole, councils in this country have a good — as a whole, councils in this country have a good record of transparency, probity, _ have a good record of transparency, probity, scrutiny and accountability. it is a reputation worth— accountability. it is a reputation worth protecting. i will take whatever steps are necessary to uphold _ whatever steps are necessary to uphold the good name of local government and to weed out practices that do— government and to weed out practices that do it _ government and to weed out practices that do it down. i commend this statement — that do it down. i commend this statement to the house.

i statement to the house. i am _ statement to the house. i am grateful to the secretary of state _ i am grateful to the secretary of state for — i am grateful to the secretary of state for advance _ i am grateful to the secretary of state for advance sight - i am grateful to the secretary of state for advance sight of - i am grateful to the secretary of state for advance sight of his i state for advance sight of his statement _ state for advance sight of his statement and _ state for advance sight of his statement and report - state for advance sight of his statement and report and - state for advance sight of his statement and report and for state for advance sight of his - statement and report and for his openness — statement and report and for his openness with _ statement and report and for his openness with me _ statement and report and for his openness with me throughout i statement and report and for hisl openness with me throughout the process — openness with me throughout the process this— openness with me throughout the process. this report _ openness with me throughout the process. this report raises - openness with me throughout the process. this report raises gravel process. this report raises grave and serious _ process. this report raises grave and serious concerns _ process. this report raises grave and serious concerns about - and serious concerns about decision—making _ and serious concerns about decision—making and - and serious concerns about decision—making and key. and serious concerns about - decision—making and key functions of liverpool— decision—making and key functions of liverpool city — decision—making and key functions of liverpool city council. _ decision—making and key functions of liverpool city council. all— decision—making and key functions of liverpool city council. all councils - liverpool city council. all councils are under— liverpool city council. all councils are under an _ liverpool city council. all councils are under an obligation— liverpool city council. all councils are under an obligation to - liverpool city council. all councils are under an obligation to meet . are under an obligation to meet their— are under an obligation to meet their best — are under an obligation to meet their best value _ are under an obligation to meet their best value duty _ are under an obligation to meet their best value duty and - are under an obligation to meet| their best value duty and ensure value _ their best value duty and ensure value for— their best value duty and ensure value for money— their best value duty and ensure value for money at _ their best value duty and ensure value for money at all— their best value duty and ensure value for money at all times. . their best value duty and ensure value for money at all times. in| value for money at all times. in these _ value for money at all times. in these respects, _ value for money at all times. in these respects, liverpool- value for money at all times. in these respects, liverpool city. these respects, liverpool city council — these respects, liverpool city council has _ these respects, liverpool city council has been _ these respects, liverpool city council has been found - these respects, liverpool city. council has been found severely wanting — council has been found severely wanting. labour, _ council has been found severely wanting. labour, both- council has been found severely wanting. labour, both here - council has been found severely wanting. labour, both here and| council has been found severely- wanting. labour, both here and our leadership— wanting. labour, both here and our leadership at — wanting. labour, both here and our leadership at the _ wanting. labour, both here and our leadership at the city— wanting. labour, both here and our leadership at the city council, - leadership at the city council, accept — leadership at the city council, accept this— leadership at the city council, accept this report _ leadership at the city council, accept this report in - leadership at the city council, accept this report in full. - leadership at the city council, accept this report in full. thei accept this report in full. the council— accept this report in full. the council will _ accept this report in full. the council will respond - accept this report in full. the council will respond to - accept this report in full. the council will respond to the i council will respond to the secretary _ council will respond to the secretary of _ council will respond to the secretary of state's - council will respond to the secretary of state's letter| council will respond to the l secretary of state's letter in detail— secretary of state's letter in detail but _ secretary of state's letter in detail but we _ secretary of state's letter in detail but we support - secretary of state's letter in detail but we support his - secretary of state's letter in - detail but we support his intention to appoint — detail but we support his intention to appoint commissioners - detail but we support his intention to appoint commissioners not - detail but we support his intention to appoint commissioners not at l detail but we support his intention . to appoint commissioners not at this stage _ to appoint commissioners not at this stage to _ to appoint commissioners not at this stage to run — to appoint commissioners not at this stage to run the _ to appoint commissioners not at this stage to run the council, _ to appoint commissioners not at this stage to run the council, as- to appoint commissioners not at this stage to run the council, as he - stage to run the council, as he says. — stage to run the council, as he says. but— stage to run the council, as he says. but to _ stage to run the council, as he says, but to advise _ stage to run the council, as he says, but to advise and - stage to run the council, as hel says, but to advise and support elected — says, but to advise and support elected representatives - says, but to advise and support elected representatives in - elected representatives in strengthening _ elected representatives in strengthening the - elected representatives inl strengthening the council's elected representatives in _ strengthening the council's systems. this is— strengthening the council's systems. this is a _ strengthening the council's systems. this is a measured _ strengthening the council's systems. this is a measured and _ strengthening the council's systems. this is a measured and appropriate l this is a measured and appropriate approach~ — this is a measured and appropriate approach i— this is a measured and appropriate

approach. iwant— this is a measured and appropriate approach. i want to _ this is a measured and appropriate approach. i want to reassure - this is a measured and appropriate l approach. i want to reassure people in liverpool— approach. i want to reassure people in liverpool that _ approach. i want to reassure people in liverpool that this _ approach. i want to reassure people in liverpool that this does _ approach. i want to reassure people in liverpool that this does not - approach. i want to reassure people in liverpool that this does not mean government— in liverpool that this does not mean government ministers— in liverpool that this does not mean government ministers are _ in liverpool that this does not mean government ministers are coming . in liverpool that this does not meanj government ministers are coming in to run— government ministers are coming in to run their— government ministers are coming in to run their city— government ministers are coming in to run their city directly, _ government ministers are coming in to run their city directly, this - government ministers are coming in to run their city directly, this is - to run their city directly, this is not as— to run their city directly, this is not as some _ to run their city directly, this is not as some would _ to run their city directly, this is not as some would put - to run their city directly, this is not as some would put it - to run their city directly, this is not as some would put it a - to run their city directly, this is| not as some would put it a tory takeover~ — not as some would put it a tory takeover~ it— not as some would put it a tory takeover. it is— not as some would put it a tory takeover. it is about _ not as some would put it a tory takeover. it is about the - not as some would put it a tory- takeover. it is about the government in appointing — takeover. it is about the government in appointing independent _ takeover. it is about the government in appointing independent people - takeover. it is about the government in appointing independent people ofl in appointing independent people of the highest — in appointing independent people of the highest professional— in appointing independent people of the highest professional standing i in appointing independent people of the highest professional standing to help the _ the highest professional standing to help the council— the highest professional standing to help the council improve _ the highest professional standing to help the council improve as - the highest professional standing to help the council improve as quicklyl help the council improve as quickly as possible — help the council improve as quickly as possible and _ help the council improve as quickly as possible and intervening - help the council improve as quicklyj as possible and intervening directly only if— as possible and intervening directly only if the — as possible and intervening directly only if the council's _ as possible and intervening directly only if the council's elected - only if the council's elected leaders _ only if the council's elected leaders failed _ only if the council's elected leaders failed to _ only if the council's electedl leaders failed to implement only if the council's elected - leaders failed to implement their own improvement _ leaders failed to implement their own improvement plan. - leaders failed to implement their- own improvement plan. investigations are currently— own improvement plan. investigations are currently under— own improvement plan. investigations are currently under way— own improvement plan. investigations are currently under way into _ own improvement plan. investigations are currently under way into matters l are currently under way into matters raised _ are currently under way into matters raised in _ are currently under way into matters raised in this— are currently under way into matters raised in this report _ are currently under way into matters raised in this report and _ are currently under way into matters raised in this report and i— are currently under way into matters raised in this report and i will- are currently under way into matters raised in this report and i will not. raised in this report and i will not pre-empt— raised in this report and i will not pre-empt them _ raised in this report and i will not pre-empt them i— raised in this report and i will not pre—empt them. i do _ raised in this report and i will not pre—empt them. i do though - raised in this report and i will not| pre—empt them. i do though want raised in this report and i will not. pre—empt them. i do though want to reiterate _ pre—empt them. i do though want to reiterate mv— pre—empt them. i do though want to reiterate my party's _ pre—empt them. i do though want to reiterate my party's absolute - reiterate my party's absolute commitment _ reiterate my party's absolute commitment to _ reiterate my party's absolute commitment to protecting i reiterate my party's absolute i commitment to protecting the reiterate my party's absolute - commitment to protecting the public interest— commitment to protecting the public interest at— commitment to protecting the public interest at all— commitment to protecting the public interest at all times _ commitment to protecting the public interest at all times and _ commitment to protecting the public interest at all times and two - interest at all times and two upstanding _ interest at all times and two upstanding the _ interest at all times and two upstanding the highest - interest at all times and two . upstanding the highest possible standards— upstanding the highest possible standards in— upstanding the highest possible standards in public— upstanding the highest possible standards in public life, - upstanding the highest possible standards in public life, given. upstanding the highest possible i standards in public life, given the concerns — standards in public life, given the concerns raised _ standards in public life, given the concerns raised in— standards in public life, given the concerns raised in this _ standards in public life, given the concerns raised in this report, - standards in public life, given the| concerns raised in this report, the general— concerns raised in this report, the general secretary— concerns raised in this report, the general secretary of— concerns raised in this report, the general secretary of the _ concerns raised in this report, the general secretary of the labour i general secretary of the labour party _ general secretary of the labour party intends _ general secretary of the labour party intends to _ general secretary of the labour party intends to appoint - general secretary of the labour party intends to appoint a - general secretary of the labour. party intends to appoint a senior figure _ party intends to appoint a senior figure to — party intends to appoint a senior figure to lead _ party intends to appoint a senior figure to lead a _ party intends to appoint a senior figure to lead a review— party intends to appoint a senior figure to lead a review and - party intends to appoint a senior. figure to lead a review and reassure the people — figure to lead a review and reassure the people of— figure to lead a review and reassure the people of liverpool— figure to lead a review and reassure the people of liverpool that - figure to lead a review and reassure the people of liverpool that the - the people of liverpool that the

labour — the people of liverpool that the labour party— the people of liverpool that the labour party takes _ the people of liverpool that the labour party takes these - the people of liverpool that the . labour party takes these concerns seriously— labour party takes these concerns seriously and _ labour party takes these concerns seriously and will— labour party takes these concerns seriously and will take _ labour party takes these concerns seriously and will take action - seriously and will take action against — seriously and will take action against anyone _ seriously and will take action against anyone in _ seriously and will take action against anyone in our- seriously and will take action against anyone in our ranks. seriously and will take action i against anyone in our ranks who seriously and will take action - against anyone in our ranks who was involved _ against anyone in our ranks who was involved in— against anyone in our ranks who was involved in wrongdoing _ against anyone in our ranks who was involved in wrongdoing of _ against anyone in our ranks who was involved in wrongdoing of any - against anyone in our ranks who was involved in wrongdoing of any kind. i involved in wrongdoing of any kind. 0ur counsellors— involved in wrongdoing of any kind. 0ur counsellors in— involved in wrongdoing of any kind. 0ur counsellors in liverpool- involved in wrongdoing of any kind. 0ur counsellors in liverpool have . 0ur counsellors in liverpool have already— 0ur counsellors in liverpool have already met _ 0ur counsellors in liverpool have already met with _ 0ur counsellors in liverpool have already met with senior - 0ur counsellors in liverpool have already met with senior labour . already met with senior labour councillors _ already met with senior labour councillors from _ already met with senior labour councillors from other- already met with senior labour councillors from other parts . already met with senior labour councillors from other parts of| already met with senior labour. councillors from other parts of the country _ councillors from other parts of the country who — councillors from other parts of the country who will _ councillors from other parts of the country who will support - councillors from other parts of the country who will support them - councillors from other parts of the country who will support them in i country who will support them in strengthening _ country who will support them in strengthening the _ country who will support them in strengthening the city _ country who will support them in strengthening the city council's. strengthening the city council's defences — strengthening the city council's defences against _ strengthening the city council's defences against any— as the report has made clear, the severe _ as the report has made clear, the severe institutional— as the report has made clear, the severe institutional weaknesses . severe institutional weaknesses identified — severe institutional weaknesses identified vou _ severe institutional weaknesses identified you do _ severe institutional weaknesses identified you do not _ severe institutional weaknesses identified you do not obscure i severe institutional weaknessesl identified you do not obscure the outstanding _ identified you do not obscure the outstanding work— identified you do not obscure the outstanding work they— identified you do not obscure the outstanding work they have - identified you do not obscure the outstanding work they have all . identified you do not obscure the i outstanding work they have all done together— outstanding work they have all done together over — outstanding work they have all done together over many _ outstanding work they have all done together over many years. - outstanding work they have all done together over many years. the - outstanding work they have all done i together over many years. the prime minister— together over many years. the prime minister was — together over many years. the prime minister was right— together over many years. the prime minister was right to _ together over many years. the prime minister was right to praise _ together over many years. the prime minister was right to praise the - minister was right to praise the council's — minister was right to praise the council's impressive _ minister was right to praise the council's impressive work - minister was right to praise the council's impressive work on i minister was right to praise the - council's impressive work on getting the city— council's impressive work on getting the city through— council's impressive work on getting the city through the _ council's impressive work on getting the city through the pandemic - council's impressive work on getting the city through the pandemic and l council's impressive work on getting the city through the pandemic and i | the city through the pandemic and i want to— the city through the pandemic and i want to add — the city through the pandemic and i want to add my— the city through the pandemic and i want to add my thanks _ the city through the pandemic and i want to add my thanks to _ the city through the pandemic and i want to add my thanks to everyone| want to add my thanks to everyone who continues _ want to add my thanks to everyone who continues to _ want to add my thanks to everyone who continues to play— want to add my thanks to everyone who continues to play a _ want to add my thanks to everyone who continues to play a part - want to add my thanks to everyone who continues to play a part in - who continues to play a part in that _ who continues to play a part in that in— who continues to play a part in that. in particular, _ who continues to play a part in that. in particular, the - who continues to play a part in that. in particular, the report. that. in particular, the report praises— that. in particular, the report praises the _ that. in particular, the report praises the council's - that. in particular, the report praises the council's chief- praises the council's chief executive _ praises the council's chief executive and _ praises the council's chief executive and i— praises the council's chief executive and i offer- praises the council's chief executive and i offer my. praises the council's chief- executive and i offer my support to him and _ executive and i offer my support to him and have — executive and i offer my support to

him and have the _ executive and i offer my support to him and have the acting _ executive and i offer my support to him and have the acting may- executive and i offer my support to him and have the acting may for. executive and i offer my support tol him and have the acting may for the