❄️ Brrr-illiant news for Merseyrail passengers.
We’re bringing fares in line with the government’s national freeze until March 2027 - helping keep travel affordable for local people.
I was honoured to be Lord Mayor when Jesse Jackson visited Liverpool in 2008.
He was one of the most inspirational people I’ve ever met - a true champion for justice and equality.
His legacy will continue to inspire people across the world for generations to come.
📻 I'm back in the BBC Merseyside hot seat taking your calls.
☎️ 0800 731 9333
📱 WhatsApp: 0800 321 333 (start MERSEY)
📧 thehotseat@bbc.co.uk
I've joined fellow Northern mayors and leaders to call for any future Olympic and Paralympic Games bid in Great Britain to be hosted in the North.
Here's why 👇
www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympi...
This week I have been thinking about the words ‘Labour values’. My conversation with @metromayorsteve.bsky.social embodied them. Other stories showed that we must not allow them to become lip service to be betrayed both those who never lived them. labourlist.org/2026/02/labo...
Artificial Intelligence will be used to accelerate new medicine discovery in a @liverpooluni.bsky.social partnership secured following @metromayorsteve.bsky.social’s US trade mission.
👉 news.liverpool.ac.uk/2026/02/05/n...
🚨 NEW: Another major US company is teaming up with Liverpool to use AI to transform medicine discovery.
The deal is a direct outcome of our 2024 US trade mission and another strong example of growing American investment in our region 🇺🇸🤝
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
Enough already. I’ve kept my counsel so far because there were assurances from the Prime Minister that anonymous briefings against Andy Burnham would stop. These gutless people hide behind the cloak of anonymity - just like the keyboard warriors they rail against. Well, if they want to know what it took to turn devolution from a nice idea into a living, breathing, delivering reality, I’d happily debate them. If they want to know about the bravery it took to break ranks in cabinet to get an independent panel to investigate the unlawful killing of 97 British citizens - bring it on. If they want to know what the use of political power is - then we can compare which campaigns they have assisted with compared to Andy. But of course that would require them to go on the record. These anonymous attacks help nobody but our opponents. For the sake of our party, please just stop.
Enough already.
🚨 I'm back in the BBC Merseyside hot seat taking your calls for the next hour.
☎️ 0800 731 9333
📱 WhatsApp: 08000 321 333 (start MERSEY)
📨 thehotseat@bbc.co.uk
🕯️ Today we remember the six million Jewish men, women and children murdered in the Holocaust, and all victims of genocide.
On Holocaust Memorial Day, we honour their memory by reaffirming our commitment to defeat antisemitism and all forms of hatred.
Mayor Steve Rotheram and Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander sit side by side at a table, signing documents. Behind them is a screen showing a Northern Powerhouse Rail map linking Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds and York.
✍️ Today I welcomed the Transport Secretary to Liverpool to sign a new agreement to deliver Northern Powerhouse Rail in full.
It sets out work to deliver:
🚆 A new Liverpool–Manchester line
🏗️ A new Gateway station
🔗 Integration with Liverpool Central
Now it's time to get to work!
"Thatcherism was great for the country - we need more Thatcherism!"
Don't make me laugh. This is the last thing the country needs.
Reform are nothing new - and the North won't be fooled.
❌ We’re clamping down on ads for vapes, junk food and high-sugar drinks on publicly-owned assets.
Because in some of our communities, children are surrounded by adverts that harm their health.
It's simple: public infrastructure should serve the public interest.
❓ Do you have a question for me?
Tomorrow I'll be back in the BBC Merseyside hot seat taking your calls from 12pm.
📞 0800 731 9333
💬 WhatsApp: 08000 321 333 (start MERSEY)
✉️ hotseat@bbc.co.uk
Statement from Mayors Steve Rotheram and Andy Burnham: We have both seen devastating incidents in our regions and would never support anything which compromises national security. An important part of strengthening the country’s defences is establishing the truth at the earliest opportunity when things go wrong and that is why, if drafted correctly, the Hillsborough Law could create a culture in all public services where that is the norm. As it stands, we believe the government’s amendment in relation to the security services creates too broad an opt-out and risks undermining the spirit of the legislation. We appreciate that the government has made huge strides in working to deliver the Hillsborough Law and are grateful for their willingness to work with campaigners thus far to make it the strongest law possible. It is in that spirit that we call on them to withdraw their amendment ahead of Monday’s debate and work with the families and the Hillsborough Law Now campaign to find a solution acceptable to all sides.
We appreciate that the government has made huge strides in working to deliver the Hillsborough Law.
It is in that spirit that @andyburnham.bsky.social and I are calling on them to withdraw their amendment ahead of Monday’s debate to find a solution acceptable to all sides.
🎉 🚴♂️ Bienvenue à Liverpool City Region!!
The Wirral benefits massively from being part of @lpoolcityregion.bsky.social and from @metromayorsteve.bsky.social 's leadership.
A pleasure to welcome @darrenpjones.bsky.social to the region yesterday!
Great to have a government working with us to drive investment and growth in the Liverpool City Region.
@evertonstadium.com was the perfect venue to show off the huge potential of the North Liverpool-South Sefton corridor!
Our Labour government, with Rachel Reeves as Chancellor, is smashing through the barriers to growth🌹
The Green Book review could be transformative, helping attract more government investment into the Liverpool City Region while we work to attract more foreign investment too.
🤓 One of the wonkiest and most technical changes possible.
💪 Also: one of the most impactful and transformative changes possible.
This is could open up a world of opportunity for the North. Green Book has seen countless worthy infrastructure projects canned because of its outdated methodology.
"For those who survived and for the loved ones left behind, today is another step on a long and challenging road. But they will not face it alone."
My statement following today's sentencing 👇
Busy few days of important and productive meetings down in London!
We discussed how we can work together to turn our shared missions into reality. 🤝
🚨 BREAKING: In response to today's disruption on Merseyrail, Steve has commissioned an independent review to examine and address the failures that led to it.
Transport bosses from Merseyrail, Network Rail and Stadler will also be summoned to answer before the region's Transport Committee.
The complete cancellation of Merseyrail services today is unacceptable.
People in our region deserve better, and I won’t stop until they get it.
The riots that took place last Summer showed the dangers of unchecked misinformation and racial hatred spread across social media.
Truth matters, and we all have a duty to uphold it—whether on X or elsewhere.
If platforms won’t act, it’s time we rethink where we engage.
Thanks for the nice feedback about our Bluesky report tonight. 🦋
The full piece, featuring @metromayorsteve.bsky.social & @drmaximilian.bsky.social, is below.
Will be fascinating to see what the year ahead holds for this site and others…
www.channel4.com/news/as-thou...
The image features a bright yellow Merseyrail train with "Batteries On-Board" branding, set against a blue sky with some clouds. Two large £1 coins are prominently displayed above the train. The text reads "UNLIMITED WEEKEND TRAVEL FOR JUST £2" in bold yellow and white lettering. At the bottom, it says "METRO MAYOR LIVERPOOL CITY REGION."
🚆 HERE, FARE AND EVERYWHERE 🚆
🪙 For the entire month of January, enjoy unlimited weekend travel on Merseyrail for just £2!
🧒 And just £1 for kids!
🎡 Start off the year right and get out to see the best the Liverpool City Region has to offer!!
🤝 Working together with @seftoncouncil.bsky.social & @metromayorsteve.bsky.social we have put forward a bold plan to deliver 10,000 new homes between Kirkdale & Bootle
📈 This project represents the scale of ambition we have for this city
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
💪 BUILDING FOR SUCCESS | We are joining forces with @lpoolcouncil.bsky.social and @seftoncouncil.bsky.social to bid for one of the government's 'New Towns.'
🏗️ Spread across Bootle, Anfield, Everton and Kirkdale, the development could see more than 10,000 homes built and wide scale regeneration.
Quite a Christmas present for the blue half of the Liverpool City Region.
Everton are part of the fabric of English football. This new era is great news for the club, fans and our wider region.
Hopefully this allows them to turn the page and look forward to a brighter 2025!
