ALT Letter from Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram to Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters regarding decision to deduct 10 points from Everton Football Club

ALT Letter from Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram to Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters regarding decision to deduct 10 points from Everton Football Club

ALT We're taking back control written on a yellow background.

ALT "Home to the more UK number one hits than anywhere else, the birthplace of The Beatles, Cilla Black, Gerry and the Pacemakers, The Real Thing, Elvis Costello, The Zutons - and now the host of Eurovision 2023 - the Liverpool City Region is undoubtably the UK's cultural capital! “While we came up against stiff competition from Glasgow, who deserve more than the nil points they have received on this occasion, nowhere is more experienced or qualified, and nowhere throws a party quite like we do. “We want to put on a show that Ukraine would be proud of, and we have been working closely with Liverpool’s sister city of Odesa to ensure that this is their event as much as our own. “Now the hard work begins. Putting on a show that will give millions a night they will never forget in one of the most turbulent and trying years for our continent is no mean feat. If anywhere is capable of it, it is the Liverpool City Region – with a little help from our friends in Ukraine.”

ALT A graphic of map demonstrating a proposed new Liverpool-Manchester railway line

ALT Image of Everton's new stadium, Bramley Moore with text reading: Update on Bramley-Moore Dock plan to improve Sandhills station Get the full story

ALT Today is a landmark moment – not just for Liverpool, or our city region, but for the whole country. A day of history making and permanent legislative change. An opportunity to enact a Bill as a lasting legacy to the 97 Hillsborough victims, unlawfully killed in 1989. The tabling of The Hillsborough Law is the biggest victory for ordinary people – and the most important change in how our justice system treats ordinary citizens - since the Human Rights Act. We must never forget that while it was Liverpool supporters who went to Hillsborough that day, the tragedy touched families and communities right across the country. But the same injustices had, and continue to be, a stain on our country’s reputation for fairness and justice. Until today.

ALT The Hillsborough families will never see true justice done for their loved ones. But because of their tenacity, dignity and refusal to be silenced, no other bereaved families will ever have to endure the same ordeal. That is their legacy – and it will stand for generations to come. This Bill is about rebalancing the scales of justice. It is a fitting tribute to the Hillsborough families’ decades-long fight, and proof of the power of ordinary people forcing extraordinary change. And while Hillsborough was the catalyst, this reform could just as easily be named after Grenfell, the contaminated blood scandal, the Post Office scandal, or a long list of other injustices. I want to thank the government for listening and acting. This legislation ensures that the lessons of Hillsborough are now finally written into law – so that no other families are ever left to fight alone.

ALT The outcome of Everton's appeal vindicates what I and many others have been saying from the outset: that the Panel's original sanction was patently unfair. A 40% reduction in penalty shows just how heavy-handed that verdict was, though the club still potentially faces double jeopardy by being punished twice for alleged breaches over a similar period. But this is about far more than this individual case. Fans and clubs need confidence in the rules and processes that govern our beloved game. The Premier League's culture of secrecy has done nothing to foster confidence or trust. How can any fan, club or player have any confidence in the PL sanctions process moving forward without a clear and transparent framework for sanctions? The league should now publish the formula it intends to use when calculating penalties for similar breaches moving forward. This is an urgent issue given the two outstanding cases to be dealt with this season.

ALT A graphic with a red background. Text reads: Biggest ever investment in transport spending. A receipt is in the centre of the page with text that reads: £1.6 billion City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement

ALT An aerial image of the River Mersey. Text reads: Discharge Free 2030. No untreated discharge by the end of the decade. Committing the Liverpool City Region to the cleanest river standards. Protesting the Mersey's precious marine life and biodiversity. Paving the way for Mercy Tidal Power.

ALT A list of the names of the 97 victims of the Hillsborough disaster on 15th April 1989

ALT A red background with the names of the 97 victims of the Hillsborough disaster.

ALT Kamala Harris next to a Liverpool City Region hydrogen bus in Liverpool

ALT Kamala Harris at the Prescot Bus Interchange

ALT Kamala Harris onboard a Liverpool City Region hydrogen bus with Wifi and USB charging ports

ALT Kamala Harris next to The Dream in St Helens

ALT An image of Liverpool One bus station at night. Text reads: Just announced Liverpool to Wirral late night buses set to return next week

ALT Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: “Today marks the start of a new era for public transport in our area – we’re taking back control of our buses! “Hundreds of thousands of people in our area rely on buses to get about every day, with 82% of all public transport journeys taken by bus. Yet, for far too long, our residents have been forced to contend with a second-class service that places profit before passengers and leaves behind the very people who need it most. “Today we have chosen a completely new course for the future of our buses. Under franchising, we will have greater control over fares, tickets and routes to ensure that bus services are run in the best interests of passengers – not shareholders. “Whilst it will take a few years to reregulate the whole network, and the change will be transformational – it is not one that will happen overnight. There are several stages that we still need to go through before we can expect to see franchised buses on our r

ALT “Yesterday afternoon, I met with Don Dransfield, CEO of 777 Partners’ football division to discuss the questions I have around the future of Everton Football Club, the Bramley Moore stadium development, and the proposed takeover of the club. “There was a frank and open discussion on a range of topics from assurances on the financing and completion of the new stadium (especially given its significance as a catalyst for the wider regeneration of the Ten Streets area), the delivery of the Goodison Legacy project and the Combined Authority’s funding of heritage assets around Bramley Moore and potential future working on any successful Euro 28 bid. “I was clear that should 777 Partners’ takeover be completed I would expect further and ongoing dialogue with the ownership to continue to discuss these and other important matters - and was encouraged by their initial response to this. “

ALT Liverpool Waterfront during sunrise.

ALT Liverpool Football Club manager Jurgen Klopp signs document at his Freedom of the City ceremony

ALT The agreement between Merseyrail and ASLEF is brilliant news for us because it gives the green light to launch our region’s new £500m fleet of publicly owned trains into action. We are enormously grateful to passengers for their patience during this process but the day we have all been waiting for has finally arrived! “Throughout this process, all parties have worked diligently to ensure that passengers can enjoy our new trains as soon as possible. We’ve worked with the trade unions and train operator to help deliver a fair deal for everyone; one that protects jobs, enhances the role of a second safety critical member of staff on every train and provides passengers with value for money. “Unlike the government’s approach nationally, we’ve shown that there is a better way to handle these matters – and it’s by getting everyone around the table and working together in good faith. “These new £500m publicly-owned trains will be the envy of towns and cities across the country. By putting

ALT our principles into practice, we have developed the most sophisticated and accessible local trains in the UK - symbolic of our wider efforts to modernise and grow the Liverpool City Region. “Today is a massive milestone in my journey to build the London-style transport system that our area deserves. These new trains will bring the region’s rail network into the 21st century. “Alongside the work we’re doing to take back control of our buses, investments in active travel, and work to simplify and integrate ticketing, I want to build a network that is cheaper, faster, cleaner and more reliable. “We’ll be announcing the schedule for the phased introduction of our new trains imminently – watch this space!”

ALT CGI image of Liverpool Baltic train station

ALT CGI image of Liverpool Baltic train station

ALT CGI image of Liverpool Baltic train station

ALT CGI image of Liverpool Baltic train station

ALT An image of a red squirrel. Text reads: new plans to reintroduce red squirrel population

ALT A Mersey Ferry sails the River Mersey in front of Liverpool’s waterfront. Text reads: And here they’ll stay…Steve announced a multimillion pound project that ensures the Mersey Ferries are secured for generations to come.

ALT Two photographs of the Grade II listed hydraulic tower located on Bramley Moore Dock. The first photographs shows the tower in disrepair alongside the text: A Grade II listed Tower and Engine Room, built in 1883, located on the site of Everton's new stadium. The image below shows the tower after it has undergone restoration work alongside the text: is being restored to its former glory thanks to a £15m grant from Mayor Steve Rotheram and the Combined Authority.

ALT A mock bus ticket displays details of the Liverpool City Region's new £2 single adult bus fare

ALT A mock bus ticket displays details of the Liverpool City Region's new £2.20 My Ticket

ALT The ‘families first’ approach established in the aftermath of the 2009 Hillsborough Independent Panel - and the longest coronial inquest in British legal history that followed - was set with one purpose: to ensure the experiences and treatment of families bereaved through the Hillsborough disaster would never again be repeated. Even after three decades of torment and injustice at the hands of the establishment, the families took that assurance forward in good faith. That is why it feels so incredibly thoughtless, tactless and insensitive for the Home Office to announce a review into the failures of pathology at the original Hillsborough inquests without consulting the families and loved ones of the 97 first. It beggars the question, who in government is choosing to run roughshod over this principle – and why? Bishop James Jones’ report ‘The Patronising Disposition of Unaccountable Power’ asked a number of searching questions about the way that the state treats grieving families.

ALT £55 Million Secured for Central Docks. New funding to deliver 2,350 homes at site identified by Liverpool Strategic Advisory Panel - on top of £31m already secured from their work.

ALT Eurovision delivered a £54.8m boost to the city region

ALT A train pulled up at West Kirby station

ALT Congratulations to Sweden, who are worthy winners of the Eurovision Song Contest. It has been our honour to host this year’s contest on behalf of our friends in Ukraine and, it is my hope, that we have put on a show that has celebrated and commemorated the very best of Ukrainian culture. Stepping up to stage a global spectacle like Eurovision during one of the most turbulent years for our continent has been no mean feat but, if anywhere was up to the challenge, it was the Liverpool City Region. I would like to thank Liverpool City Council, the BBC and everyone who has played a part in showing the rest of the world that our area is not only the UK’s cultural capital – but the beating heart of European values. This week has been a reminder of everything that unites us – our passion for life, stories, history, music, dance and art. Tonight, as we come together to celebrate our global community, we should not forget the only victory that truly matters is an end to war. Slava Ukraini!

ALT A collage of images of the 22 victims of the Manchester Arena attack on 22 May 2017

ALT Mayor Steve Rotheram sits next to K-water Vice President Jeong kyeongyun during the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement.