Burnham confirms No 10 North in Manchester, pledges power shift across UK
7 reported
According to a single-source report from The Guardian, Andy Burnham confirmed he will set up a "No 10 North" in Manchester as part of a major policy speech. Burnham stated the change will be the biggest in our lifetimes to how the country is run and is consistent with the 2024 manifesto. He said the operation will be based in Manchester but will aim to make power flow into the Midlands, South West, East of England, and London. The CBI issued a broadly positive response, with chief executive Rain Newton-Smith welcoming Burnham's focus on growth and delivery. Shelter, the housing charity, said Burnham's call for the biggest council housebuilding programme in the postwar period could "utterly transform" Britain. Several thinktanks, including the Fabian Society and IPPR, expressed support for devolution, while the LGIU and Joseph Rowntree Foundation raised concerns about council resources and living standards. Political reactions varied: the Conservatives and Reform UK criticized the speech before delivery, the Lib Dems expressed cautious support, the Greens were positive but doubtful about funding, and the SNP called the promises empty.
What’s reported
Andy Burnham confirmed he will set up a "No 10 North" in Manchester.
Burnham said the change will be the biggest in our lifetimes to how the country is run and is consistent with the 2024 manifesto.
The operation will be based in Manchester but aims to make power flow into the Midlands, South West, East of England, and London.
The CBI issued a broadly positive response; chief executive Rain Newton-Smith welcomed Burnham's focus on growth and delivery.
Shelter said Burnham's council housebuilding pledge could "utterly transform" Britain.
The Fabian Society and IPPR supported devolution; the LGIU raised concerns about council resources; the Joseph Rowntree Foundation called for action on living standards.
Kemi Badenoch (Conservatives) said Burnham offers conventional Labour solutions; Robert Jenrick (Reform UK) said plans would take too long; Ed Davey (Lib Dems) expressed support but scepticism; Zack Polanski (Greens) was positive but doubtful about funding; Dave Doogan (SNP) called promises empty.
Key figures
Andy Burnham (confirmed No 10 North in Manchester)
Rain Newton-Smith (CBI chief executive)
Sarah Elliott (Shelter chief executive)
Luke Raikes (Fabian Society deputy general secretary)
Harry Quilter-Pinner (IPPR executive director)
Jonathan Carr-West (LGIU chief executive)
Chris Belfield (Joseph Rowntree Foundation chief economist)
Kemi Badenoch (Conservative)
Robert Jenrick (Reform UK)
Ed Davey (Lib Dem leader)
Zack Polanski (Green party leader)
Dave Doogan (SNP leader at Westminster)
Sources: The Guardian
