Andy Burnham Opens No10 North to Devolve Power from London

Prime Minister Andy Burnham established No10 North, a new government base in Manchester, to shift political and economic power away from Whitehall and Westminster to local communities. Operating from Heron House on Albert Square, the office serves as a situation room for growth where Burnham intends to work at least one day per week. To support this decentralization, he created the Office for the Prime Minister and the Cabinet, led by Louise Haigh, which merges elements of the Treasury, the Cabinet Office, and the housing ministry.

Burnham assumed office on July 21, 2026, after winning the Makerfield seat and the Labour Party leadership following the resignation of Keir Starmer. Starmer stepped down in June amid domestic political turmoil and poor local election results. As the seventh UK leader in a decade, Burnham has pledged to regain national stability through a 10-year plan focused on re-industrialization, ending homelessness, and addressing the cost of living. Initial measures include a 20% business tax cut, a VAT cut on energy bills, and a £2 nationwide bus fare cap.

On Friday, July 24, Burnham chaired the inaugural meeting of the revived National Economic Council at the Manchester site. This body brings together senior ministers, regional mayors, and trade unions to coordinate growth. While Housing Secretary Angela Rayner praised the Prime Minister's immediate action, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham cautioned that the government must embrace an economic agenda that prioritizes the working class.