Andy Burnham has become prime minister at a moment when Britain faces weak growth in living standards, deep regional inequality and pressure on public finances, having campaigned on a promise to deliver "good growth in every postcode" by devolving power away from Westminster. The scale of that ambition matters because his approach marks a shift from London-centric policymaking towards regional empowerment, but with limited time before the next election and constrained public spending, delivering on it will be difficult.

Key priorities include reindustrialisation, with a pledge to protect manufacturing in sectors such as steel, defence, energy and farming, even though industry has shrunk from about 30% of the economy in 1979 to roughly a tenth today and faces high energy costs and competition from Asia. Burnham also wants the "biggest rebalancing of power" ever seen, including a new No 10 hub in Manchester and devolved tax powers to regional leaders; the OECD has backed devolution as a way to boost underperforming regions, though critics warn it could create inefficiencies given local government's reduced capacity after years of cuts. The article notes further areas — including defence, housing and the cost of living — that will shape his in-tray, illustrated with accompanying charts.