Regional mayors to play key role in national policy decisions under Burnham’s plan for No 10 North
Andy Burnham has announced plans for a new No 10 North office in Manchester, intended to give regional mayors a greater role in national policymaking and accelerate devolution. He said the initiative would help shift power and resources away from Whitehall, supporting regeneration, housebuilding, transport infrastructure, reindustrialisation and economic growth across the UK.
Burnham plans to work from Heron House near Albert Square once a week, beginning by chairing the National Economic Council; meetings may include mayors, ministers, business leaders and trade union representatives depending on the agenda. Responding to concerns that the North would receive disproportionate attention, he said the aim was to benefit communities nationwide, including in the East of England and South West, while No 10 Downing Street would continue operating normally.
In short
- No 10 North aims to expand regional influence over national policy.
- Burnham will work weekly from the Manchester office.
- Ministers say devolution should benefit every UK region.
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The case for
Devolution can improve governance by bringing decision-making closer to those affected, and regional mayors possess valuable local knowledge and democratic accountability that Westminster lacks. Giving elected regional leaders meaningful influence in national policymaking could yield better-informed decisions on infrastructure, housing and economic development whilst maintaining overall coordination through the Prime Minister. This approach reflects successful models in federal democracies and addresses the legitimate concern that excessive centralisation in London disadvantages communities across Britain.
The case against
Establishing a secondary power centre in Manchester risks creating confusion about where ultimate authority lies and could foster conflict between competing power bases. Even with good intentions, concentrating influence among a subset of regional leaders may privilege some areas whilst marginalising others without proportional representation. National policy requires unified direction to balance competing regional interests fairly; splitting governance between two cities could slow decision-making, increase costs, and allow parochial concerns to undermine decisions that serve the broader national interest.
Explained simply
Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, has proposed opening "No 10 North", a government office in Manchester from which he would work on national policymaking. The purpose is to give regional mayors greater influence over decisions made in central government and shift power away from London.
For decades, critics have argued that regions outside London—particularly the North—have less say in policies that affect them and that government resources flow disproportionately to the capital. Advocates of regional empowerment believe that local leaders are better placed to understand and address their communities' needs.
Under the proposal, Burnham would work from the Manchester office once a week and chair meetings with other regional mayors, government ministers, business leaders and trade unions. He has emphasised that the initiative is designed to benefit communities nationwide, not just the North, and that central government operations in London will continue as normal.