Prime Minister Andy Burnham spent his first working day at the temporary “No10 North” office in Manchester, presenting it as a practical symbol of his plan to move economic decision-making and political influence beyond London. The initiative matters because it is intended to support wider devolution, though critics question its cost and whether it will materially change how government operates.

The temporary base is in Heron House in central Manchester, an existing government building that also houses a northern hub for intelligence, cyber and security work. Ministers say it will involve no additional cost to taxpayers and that Burnham expects to work there at least one day a week, but concerns have been raised about potentially substantial security and operational costs; a permanent site remains under development.