Brief summary of what's going on between GM and govt. So it seems there was a meeting between local and national officials this morning, at which the idea of a 'hardship fund' was tabled. 1/

This, it seemed to politicians afterwards, might be a political solution. It would not be 'furlough' per se, but a sum of money that perhaps could be used in that way. 2/

So it seems that they went into the meeting with Jenrick this afternoon thinking that this might be what was on the table. 3/

However, govt made quite clear that a topped-up furlough scheme was not on the cards. Business support, yes, although unclear how much. But not anything extra for employees and nothing for the self employed. 4/

Two people at the meeting said that when the idea of the hardship fund was raised (having only heard of it in the morning) it was made clear that this was not on the table and it was implied that it never had been. 5/

There was an argument about hospital data. I'll get into this more later, but some of GM's argument is around govt's selective use of trust numbers; and not factoring in surge capacity. (Several said govt didn't seem to understand our hospitals operate as one system.) 6/

Long story short, the minister then move to close the meeting. But two council bosses - Stockport and Salford - had never been unmuted through the entire thing, so Burnham had to flag that they needed to speak too. 7/

So they then spoke. Apparently the meeting had in fact opened with everybody on the local side muted by government. 8/

And then the meeting closed, with Jenrick saying he would need to now go back to Downing Street and make clear that local leaders had not agreed to its terms. 9/

Govt spox: "A meeting between govt and local leaders in GM has concluded this afternoon following discussions throughout last week, over this weekend and this morning on measures necessary to protect the public. 10/

"Disappointingly, we have still not been able to reach agreement. This is particularly concerning against the backdrop of rising cases and hospitalisations in GM. We are carefully considering next steps." 11/

Unclear what happens next, but Public Health England are currently giving a briefing to GM MPs. In the meantime, those I've spoken to here felt the conclusion of the leaders' meeting didn't sound v optimistic. And now, I'm going back to writing my other thing. /ends