Andy Burnham Launches 'No 10 North' Initiative to Redistribute Power
A new Downing Street team based in Manchester, called 'No 10 North', will "oversee the biggest rebalancing of power our country has ever seen," Andy Burnham stated in his first speech since announcing his candidacy for the Labour Party leadership and the role of prime minister.
Speaking in Manchester, Burnham committed to redistributing power across the United Kingdom to "drive good growth in every postcode." He also pledged the largest council house building programme since the post-war era, a "complete rethink" of the education system, and welfare cuts implemented in a "fair and lasting way."
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticized Burnham's support for devolution, suggesting he "doesn't know what to do so he wants to pass the problem to someone else."
Burnham declared his intention to run for prime minister to succeed Sir Keir Starmer last Monday, shortly after being elected as the Member of Parliament for Makerfield. Currently, he is the only Labour MP to have announced a leadership bid, and if no other candidates emerge, he could become prime minister as early as 20 July.
At the People's History Museum, Burnham addressed an audience that included Steve Rotheram, Tracy Brabin, and Oliver Coppard—his former mayoral colleagues from Liverpool, West Yorkshire, and South Yorkshire respectively. He outlined the direction his government would take but notably did not take questions at the conclusion of his speech, which is uncommon for political addresses.
Commitment to Devolution and Local Empowerment
Burnham emphasized his commitment to devolving power to local communities, moving authority away from senior civil servants in Whitehall, whom he accused of having "blocked" progress in Manchester.
"It is time for Whitehall to accept that growth cannot be ordered from the top down - it can only be nurtured from the bottom up."
While he did not specify the exact powers to be allocated to different regions, Burnham suggested that areas would gain "greater public control of essential services" such as water, energy, and transport. He also indicated that London could receive increased influence over education and housing policies.
Moreover, Burnham proposed "new opportunities to extend devolution in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland by taking power deeper down."
"The people of Dundee and Bangor feel just as distant from Holyrood and the Senedd as they do from Westminster,"
he added, arguing that distributing power more evenly across the country would "give Britain the circuit-breaker it needs."
Labour's 2024 manifesto had previously promised to extend devolution powers to new areas and to enhance powers in regions where mayors and combined authorities are already established. In February 2025, Angela Rayner, then local government secretary, announced plans to introduce six mayors in Cheshire and Warrington, Cumbria, Essex, Hampshire and Solent, Norfolk and Suffolk, and Sussex and Brighton.
Economic and Welfare Policies
One of the most contentious issues between Labour backbench MPs and Sir Keir Starmer involved attempts to reduce the welfare bill. Burnham has stated previously that he would not be "squeamish" about cutting welfare spending. In his Manchester speech, he promised to identify cuts in a "way that is fair and lasting," adding:
"Where young people need mental health support, that will be provided as part of in-work support."
He also suggested that employment support could be devolved to mayors and that assistance should be delivered through grassroots organizations that "people trust... rather than going to places that they fear."
Former Labour minister Alan Milburn, who served alongside Burnham in the last Labour government, is currently conducting a review on improving youth employment. Burnham indicated that he is taking Milburn's findings seriously and called for a "complete rethink of how we support the next generation to succeed," emphasizing:
"It has to start with the education system."
Burnham proposed that the school system should no longer focus predominantly on university education but instead place greater emphasis on technical education.
In an effort to reassure financial markets, Burnham stated that his plans would be underpinned by "the stability that comes from sound public finances," and promised a "10 year mission to raise people's living standards." He acknowledged that "people can't wait forever for change," adding:
"I will do my very best to deliver it, and whilst not taking risks with the public finances, will seek to give Britain some breathing space as soon as I can."
Leadership Transition and Cabinet Appointments
Since Sir Keir Starmer's resignation, speculation has grown regarding Burnham's potential cabinet appointments, particularly for the chancellor position. During his speech, Burnham stated he would not announce any appointments until the leadership contest concludes.
This week, Burnham is scheduled to begin meetings with the civil service to prepare for a potential transition of power. Sir Keir authorized these so-called access talks, which are typically granted to opposition parties ahead of a general election.
Reactions from Political Leaders
Prior to Burnham's speech, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch commented:
"A lot of politicians hide behind devolution because they don't have any answers. So they say 'why don't we let local people take it up' but they don't give them the real tools for power. We have seen so much go wrong because right now politicians have outsourced decisions."
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey remarked:
"People have heard this sort of talk before only to be badly let down because nothing changes – Burnham mustn't repeat that mistake. If he's serious about firing up growth and cutting the cost of living, Burnham must ditch Labour's old red lines on Europe and take Britain into the single market."
Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice criticized Burnham's decision not to take questions following his speech, stating:
"No debate in Parliament. No scrutiny from MPs until September. Power without accountability."
Green Party leader of England and Wales Zack Polanski questioned the value of devolving powers without adequate funding, saying:
"What is the value of giving local government more powers if it cannot afford to use them? Labour has done little to restore council budgets that were slashed under the Conservatives, and Burnham's commitment today to stick to the so-called fiscal rules ensures continued austerity and cuts to vital services."
The SNP's Westminster leader Dave Doogan stated:
"There is nothing of substance for Scotland in these proposals – and nothing that will fundamentally improve people's lives."
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