Burnham creates new prime minister’s department, moves staff north
9 reported
Andy Burnham has created a new Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, absorbing parts of the Cabinet Office, Treasury and housing ministry, according to a single-source report from The Guardian. The new department will be led by his ally Louise Haigh and will oversee the No 10 operation in London, the forthcoming No 10 North in Manchester, and parts of the Cabinet Office. Teams responsible for local growth and devolution from the Treasury and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government will move to the No 10 North unit. The government stated the change ensures local economic growth policy and regional empowerment are no longer isolated, establishing No 10 North as the dominant driver of the UK’s economy. Other parts of the Cabinet Office will move into a new agency called OneGov, controlled by cabinet secretary Antonia Romeo, handling government HR functions. The government will offer relocation packages to civil servants willing to move north, and Burnham will work from Manchester at least one day a week. The overhaul was announced via a written ministerial statement in the House of Lords, as MPs have finished for summer recess.
What’s reported
Burnham created the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, led by Louise Haigh.
The new department oversees No 10 London, No 10 North in Manchester, and parts of the Cabinet Office.
Local growth and devolution teams from the Treasury and housing ministry move to No 10 North.
The government said this makes No 10 North the dominant driver of the UK’s economy.
Other Cabinet Office functions move to a new agency called OneGov, controlled by Antonia Romeo.
Relocation packages will be offered to civil servants moving north.
Burnham will work from Manchester at least one day a week.
The Department for Science, Technology and Innovation is abolished; AI responsibility goes to the new office.
The announcement was made via a written ministerial statement in the House of Lords.
Key figures
Andy Burnham, prime minister
Louise Haigh, ally and enforcer, leader of the new department
Antonia Romeo, cabinet secretary, controller of OneGov
Caroline Simpson, deputy chief of staff
Hannah White, director of the Institute for Government
Angela Smith, leader of the Lords
Kanishka Narayan, minister for AI
Sources: The Guardian
